| Cookie is the message stored in the text file which is send by web server to web browser. Cookie is the protective tool maintained by generally every website. It is the media to transfer information rapidly. |
| Classification of cookies |
| Cookies are commonly accessible in two types. |
| Persistent cookie / Permanent cookie / Stored cookie |
| Persistent cookie is the cookie with specific duration. It is activated for definite time period. In other words they are placed with expiry date. That is why these cookies have permanent structure. |
It is up to user also that till how much time period user wants the cookie to retain in his web site.
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| They identify the user because the user fills identification form for persistent cookie. |
| Session cookie/ Transient cookie |
| Session cookies exist for short period of time in the web browser. It is not preserved in the web browser permanently. So once the browser is closed the information in the cookie also vanishes. They do not have special identification of the user. |
| How does cookie operate ? |
| The State information stored in the machine tells the condition of the browser. Cookie permits the site to store information in the machine (user’s own computer). For example Storing id is the set of information in the machine. If the id is already stored and if visitor visits the site it informs the repetition of the visitor on the site. If any new visitor visits he enters his id. This is how the record comes that how many visitors are new comers and how many repeated once. These id’s are stored in the form of cookie. Actually the information stored in the machine is stored in database. |
| Whenever the user logs in on any web site and collects information that information is captured by cookie. And then in future if you ask for that information cookie opens it for you. And if the information is not diverted to you, it means cookie is not created and you have to create it for that particular web site. |
| Cookie some times is risky |
| 1. If your machine is hand over to some one. In this case the set of information stored in your hard disk totally exist with the new owner. |
| 2. In case if any one tries to break cookie. But it’s not so easy. It’s a task only for expert programmer not of ordinary person. |
