COOKIES

 

A cookie is a text-based data file that a website can request to save on the visitor's computer. Cookies are often used to give visitors access to different functions or services on the website. The information in the data file makes it possible to meet the visitors' requests at the website. There are two different types of cookies: cookies and session cookies.

 

Cookies are used (for example) to tell visitors what has happened on the website since they last visited. This type of cookie can also be used to keep statistics and save user names and passwords needed to log into services. How long these cookies are stored is determined by the website.

 

Session cookies can be used during the time the visitor is active on the website. These cookies are temporarily saved in the visitor's computer's primary memory and are automatically removed when the visitor closes their web browser. Some common uses for this type of cookie are keeping track of temporary settings such as language, CSS, user name/password and suchlike. They can also simplify certain types of navigation within the site. Base Media's Basepro web tool uses session cookies.

 

Some common misconceptions about cookies are that they are a kind of virus, that a website can use cookies to access personal information stored on a computer, or that cookies are used to send spam e-mail. None of the above are true. Cookies are simply data.