Internet cookies, often called website cookies, computer cookies or just cookies, are small text files that websites store on your computer or device when you visit them. These files contain data that websites use to remember and track information about your browsing activities.

What are browser cookies?
Cookies are small text files that websites you visit store on your browser. They contain a variety of information, such as login information, browsing history, personal preferences and shopping cart contents. Most cookies are harmless "friends" that help optimize your overall browsing experience.
Typically, cookies do not contain personal information such as your real name or address. Instead, they use unique identifiers to associate data with a specific user or device. However, advertisers and tech gigants can use these codes to track you as you move between websites.
Cookies can be classified into two types:
Persistent cookies
Unlike session cookies, persistent cookies are stored on your device across multiple browsing sessions. They are mainly used to remember your preferences and settings for use during future visits. For example, persistent cookies may store your login information or the language preferences you choose on a particular website. Third-party cookies (described in detail below) are typically persistent and maintained over long periods of time.
Session cookies
Session cookies are temporary and are stored during your browsing session. They allow websites to remember your activities and preferences during a single browsing session, for example items you add to your shopping cart. When you close your browser, the session cookie is deleted.
First-party and third-party cookies
First-party cookies
First-party cookies are cookies created by the website you are visiting. They contribute to improving website functionality and help remember your preferences, payment information and other logistics data.
As you can see, first-party cookies often benefit you, the website visitor. Any attempt to prevent them may affect the functionality of the website or even break it completely.
Third-party cookies
Third-party cookies are cookies that are set under a domain name different from the website you are visiting. They are often used for advertising purposes and to track user activity. For example, when you visit a website, there may be advertising or social media plugins from third parties integrated, and they may set cookies to track your interactions on the website. other.
Third-party cookies typically belong to advertising companies like Google or social media networks like Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter. These companies have a business model based on collecting information about users to create personalized advertising.
This type of cookie poses serious privacy risks while providing little benefit to users. Blocking third-party cookies is generally considered a safety measure and is recommended. Most web browsers provide options for managing and controlling cookies, allowing you to selectively delete or block them.
EU cookie law
If you are in a European Union (EU) country or the UK, you may be familiar with cookie consent requirements when visiting websites. This mainly stems from the ePrivacy Directive, which requires that all websites request explicit consent from anyone accessing them via an EU IP address before placing cookies into their browser. The objective of this Directive is to prevent privacy abuses from third-party cookies.
Legally, cookies can be considered "personal data" under the GDPR, as they have the ability to identify you. However, this only applies where the processing of data collected through cookies is considered lawful and in the interest of the website.
In practice, the EU's efforts to control the use of cookies have not been as effective as expected. Many websites simply ignore this law, while others refuse to operate unless you agree to the use of third-party cookies. Another problem is that many people agree to the use of cookies without really understanding what they are doing.
Final:
A good rule of thumb when thinking about cookies is: "First-party cookies: useful; third-party cookies: ominous." First-party cookies play an important role in improving user experience and customizing website content, while third-party cookies often raise serious privacy concerns.