Cookies on a website serve various purposes, including:

1. **Session Management:** Cookies help manage user sessions, allowing websites to recognize a user as they navigate between pages. This is crucial for functionalities like shopping carts in e-commerce sites.

2. **Personalization:** Cookies store user preferences, enabling websites to tailor content based on individual choices and preferences.

3. **Tracking and Analytics:** Cookies are used for tracking user behavior and collecting analytics data. This information helps website owners understand how users interact with their site.

4. **Authentication:** Cookies are often used for user authentication, allowing users to log in and access personalized or secure content.

5. **Advertising:** Cookies support targeted advertising by tracking users’ interests and behavior, allowing advertisers to deliver more relevant ads.

How cookies work:

– When you visit a website, the server sends a small piece of data (the cookie) to your browser.
– Your browser stores this cookie on your device.
– The next time you visit the same website, your browser sends the stored cookie back to the server, allowing the website to recognize you and remember your preferences.

It’s essential to note that while cookies enhance user experience, privacy concerns have led to increased scrutiny. Regulations, like the GDPR and CCPA, require websites to inform users about cookie usage and provide options to manage preferences.