Cookies are small pieces of data stored on the client-side (browser) that are sent to and from the server with each HTTP request.
• They are commonly used to store user preferences, session identifiers, and tracking information.
Advantages of Using Cookies:-
‣ User Preferences: Cookies can store user preferences, such as language settings or theme choices, enhancing user experience.
‣ Session Management: Cookies are commonly used for session management, storing session identifiers to keep track of users between pages.
‣ Tracking and Analytics: They are useful for tracking user behavior and gathering analytics data, helping to personalize and improve user experience.
‣ State Management: Cookies enable stateful interaction in stateless protocols like HTTP, allowing web applications to remember user states.
Disadvantages of Using Cookies:-
‣ Security Risks: Cookies can be vulnerable to attacks such as Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) and Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF). Careful handling, including setting HttpOnly and Secure flags, is necessary.
‣ Storage Limitations: Cookies have size limitations (typically 4KB), making them unsuitable for storing large amounts of data.
‣ Performance Impact: Excessive use of cookies can increase the size of HTTP requests, potentially slowing down page loading times.
‣ Privacy Concerns: Cookies can be used to track users across different websites, raising privacy concerns. Users often disable cookies or use privacy-focused browsers/extensions.
