The HTTP cookie is what we currently use to manage our online experiences. He recreated this concept for browsers when he helped an online shopping store fix their overloaded servers. Web browser programmer Lou Montulli used the “magic cookie” as inspiration in 1994. HTTP cookies are a repurposed version of the “magic cookie” built for internet browsing. This concept predates the modern “cookie” we use today. Commonly, this would be used for a login to computer database systems, such as a business internal network. 'Magic cookies' are an old computing term that refers to packets of information that are sent and received without changes. Different types of cookies - Magic Cookies and HTTP CookiesĬookies generally function the same but have been applied to different use cases: When the cookie is exchanged between your computer and the network server, the server reads the ID and knows what information to specifically serve to you. This data is labeled with an ID unique to you and your computer. Specific cookies known as HTTP cookies are used to identify specific users and improve your web browsing experience.ĭata stored in a cookie is created by the server upon your connection. We’ll answer key questions like:Ĭookies are text files with small pieces of data - like a username and password - that are used to identify your computer as you use a computer network. In this article, we will guide you through how cookies work and how you can stay safe online. Worse, legitimate cookies can sometimes be spied upon if a criminal gets access. While most cookies are perfectly safe, some can be used to track you without your consent. Fortunately, even a basic understanding of cookies can help you keep unwanted eyes off your internet activity. Guarding your privacy online can be overwhelming.

But they can also be a treasure trove of private info for criminals to spy on.

Cookies let websites remember you, your website logins, shopping carts and more. As a necessary part of web browsing, HTTP cookies help web developers give you more personal, convenient website visits. HTTP cookies are essential to the modern Internet but a vulnerability to your privacy.

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