Cookies, sessions and why websites remember you

A cookie is a small piece of data a website asks a browser to store and send back on later requests. Sites use cookies for preferences, login sessions, analytics and advertising. A session cookie may contain an identifier that lets the server associate requests with a logged-in account.

How it works

Cookies are not the same as browsing history, and deleting them can sign you out without removing data held on the server. Third-party cookies can be used across multiple sites, which is why browsers increasingly restrict them and provide privacy controls.

Practical takeaways

Review cookie choices, use private browsing for temporary sessions and sign out of sensitive accounts on shared devices. Site owners should mark session cookies Secure and HttpOnly and explain advertising technologies in a privacy notice.

A cookie does not automatically reveal your identity; context, account logins and tracking systems determine what it means.

In short: Cookies make the web stateful, but the same mechanism needs transparency and careful security settings.