Cookies are text files sent by a web server (namely, the computer that “hosts” the visited website) to the user’s browser (Safari, Firefox, Google Chrome, etc.) and stored on the device (computer, smartphone, tablet), used by the user for browsing. Cookies allow the website to identify the user’s device through the stored information each time the user reconnects itself to the website through that device.
By using cookies, it is possible to make it easier for the user to browse the website (so-called technical cookies), to obtain statistical information, whether in aggregate form or not, on the number of users accessing the website and how the website is used (so-called analytics cookies), and to analyse their preferences and tastes by checking their browsing history, and consequently to offer products and provide services more consistent with the interests and expectations of said user (so-called profiling cookies).
Cookies may be “session cookies” (when they are stored only for the duration of the browsing session and are cancelled when the session is closed), or “permanent cookies” (that are stored for longer periods, until their expiry or cancellation by the user). Further, cookies may be installed by the website the user is visiting (so-called first party cookies) or may be installed by other websites (so-called third-party cookies).