Picture this: you walk into your favorite coffee shop, and the barista remembers your usual order without you saying a word. That’s exactly how internet cookies work—they help websites “remember” you.

A cookie is a tiny piece of data that a website saves on your device when you visit it. Think of it like a digital sticky note. The next time you return, the website reads that note to recall your preferences. For example, cookies allow online stores to keep items in your cart even if you close the browser, or they help social media sites keep you logged in without re-entering your password every time.

There are two main types of cookies:

1. Session Cookies – These are temporary and disappear once you close your browser. Imagine borrowing a library book to read inside the library—you use it only while you’re there.
2. Persistent Cookies – These stay on your device for days, weeks, or even months until they expire or you delete them. This is like buying a book and keeping it at home for future reference.

Cookies are not harmful programs; they don’t run or install anything on your computer. However, since they track behavior, they can raise privacy concerns. For instance, advertisers use cookies to follow your browsing habits across sites, which is why you might see ads for a product you checked out yesterday.

Most browsers let you manage cookies—whether to allow, block, or delete them—giving you control over your data.

In short, cookies are the internet’s way of remembering who you are and making your online experience smoother. As privacy rules evolve, we can expect smarter and safer ways of using cookies in the future.