|
COOKIE
Data stored on a user's computer
by a web site, so that site can recognize the user at a later
time.
More Detailed Definition:
A message given to a Web browser
by a Web server. The browser stores the message in a text file.
The message is then sent back to the server each time the browser
requests a page from the server.
The main purpose of cookies is to identify users and possibly
prepare customized Web pages for them. When you enter a Web site
using cookies, you may be asked to fill out a form providing such
information as your name and interests. This information is
packaged into a cookie and sent to your Web browser which stores
it for later use. The next time you go to the same Web site, your
browser will send the cookie to the Web server. The server can use
this information to present you with custom Web pages. So, for
example, instead of seeing just a generic welcome page you might
see a welcome page with your name on it.
The name cookie derives from UNIX objects called magic cookies.
These are tokens that are attached to a user or program and change
depending on the areas entered by the user or program.
|