What is a cookie?

A cookie is a small piece of data that is sent from a web server to a web browser and stored locally on the user’s machine. The cookie is stored on the user’s machine, but it is not an executable program and cannot do anything to the machine. Whenever a web browser requests a file from the same web server that sent the cookie, the browser sends a copy of that cookie back to the server. Some cookies may use a unique identifier that links to information such as login or registration data, online “shopping cart” selections, user preferences, websites a user has visited, etc.

What are tracking cookies?

A tracking cookie traces your web browsing habits. It can collect information about pages and advertisements you have seen or any other activity during browsing. Different websites can share tracking cookies, and each website with the same tracking cookie can read the information and write new information into it.

A tracking cookie is any cookie used for tracking users’ surfing habits. It is a form of tracking technology. It is typically used by advertisers for analyzing and managing advertising data; however, it can also be used to profile and track user activity more closely.

Tracking cookies are mere text files and are far more limited in capability than executable software installed on users’ computers. While installed software can potentially record any data or activity on a computer, cookies are simply a record of visits or activity with a single website or its affiliated sites.