{"id":9922,"date":"2026-06-07T20:40:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-07T18:40:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/?post_type=manual_kb&#038;p=9922"},"modified":"2026-06-07T20:40:12","modified_gmt":"2026-06-07T18:40:12","slug":"what-are-cookies-used-for","status":"publish","type":"manual_kb","link":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/what-are-cookies-used-for\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Cookies Used For?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"translation-block translation-block-merged\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cookies are small text files stored on a visitor&#8217;s device by a website. Their primary purpose is to improve the browsing experience, remember user preferences, and enable certain website features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today, cookies are used by the vast majority of websites and online services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/what-are-cookies-used-for\/#What_Are_Cookies\" >What Are Cookies?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/what-are-cookies-used-for\/#Common_Uses_of_Cookies\" >Common Uses of Cookies<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/what-are-cookies-used-for\/#Remembering_User_Preferences\" >Remembering User Preferences<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/what-are-cookies-used-for\/#Maintaining_Login_Sessions\" >Maintaining Login Sessions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/what-are-cookies-used-for\/#Personalized_Content_and_Advertising\" >Personalized Content and Advertising<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/what-are-cookies-used-for\/#Cookies_and_Online_Shopping\" >Cookies and Online Shopping<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/what-are-cookies-used-for\/#Cookies_and_Website_Analytics\" >Cookies and Website Analytics<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/what-are-cookies-used-for\/#Important_Note\" >Important Note<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/what-are-cookies-used-for\/#Are_Cookies_Safe\" >Are Cookies Safe?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/what-are-cookies-used-for\/#Security\" >Security<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/what-are-cookies-used-for\/#Should_Cookies_Be_Deleted\" >Should Cookies Be Deleted?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/what-are-cookies-used-for\/#Advantages_of_Cookies\" >Advantages of Cookies<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/what-are-cookies-used-for\/#Summary\" >Summary<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_Cookies\"><\/span>What Are Cookies?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"mybox-1929579251\" class=\"mybox-content mybox-entity-placement\"><div class=\"early-access-banner-inpost\">\r\n  <div class=\"banner-left-inpost\">\r\n    <div class=\"icon-box-inpost\">\r\n      <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/square-info-icon.svg\" alt=\"Info\">\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"text-box-inpost\">\r\n      <span class=\"label-inpost\"><span class=\"translation-block translation-block-banner-text\">Early access<\/span><\/span>\r\n      <h4><span class=\"translation-block translation-block-banner-text\">Still need help?<\/span><\/h4>\r\n      <p><span class=\"translation-block translation-block-banner-text\">Contact our customer service team.<\/span><\/p>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"banner-right-inpost\">\r\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/panel.mybox.com\/helpdesk2\/v\/list\/\" class=\"banner-button-inpost\"><span class=\"translation-block translation-block-banner-text\">Message us<\/span><\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"translation-block translation-block-merged\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A cookie is a small file stored by a web browser when visiting a website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cookies can contain information such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Session identifiers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Language preferences<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Website settings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Login status<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shopping cart contents<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Analytics data<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cookies do not contain executable code and cannot directly modify your device or its settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_Uses_of_Cookies\"><\/span>Common Uses of Cookies<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Remembering_User_Preferences\"><\/span>Remembering User Preferences<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cookies can remember settings chosen by visitors, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Language selection<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Theme preferences<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Display settings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Region or country selection<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This prevents users from having to reconfigure the website every time they visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Maintaining_Login_Sessions\"><\/span>Maintaining Login Sessions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many websites use cookies to keep users logged in between page visits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Without cookies, users would often need to re-enter their credentials while navigating the website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Personalized_Content_and_Advertising\"><\/span>Personalized Content and Advertising<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cookies may be used to display:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Personalized recommendations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Relevant products<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Customized advertisements<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This helps websites present content that is more relevant to individual visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cookies_and_Online_Shopping\"><\/span>Cookies and Online Shopping<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cookies play an important role in e-commerce websites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, they allow online stores to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Store products in a shopping cart<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Remember recently viewed items<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Save wishlist contents<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maintain checkout sessions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Without cookies, products added to a cart would disappear when moving between pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cookies_and_Website_Analytics\"><\/span>Cookies and Website Analytics<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Website owners often use cookies to collect anonymous statistical information about how visitors use their websites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Examples include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Number of visitors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Most popular pages<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Time spent on pages<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Device types<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Traffic sources<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This information helps website administrators improve content, navigation, and overall user experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Important_Note\"><\/span>Important Note<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Analytics data is generally aggregated and does not provide administrators with access to sensitive personal information stored on a visitor&#8217;s device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_Cookies_Safe\"><\/span>Are Cookies Safe?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cookies are generally considered safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Cannot install software<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cannot execute programs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cannot modify system settings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cannot infect devices with viruses<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cookies only store information that websites use to recognize returning visitors or maintain functionality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Security\"><\/span>Security<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cookie data is typically accessible only to the website or service that created it, depending on how the cookie is configured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_Cookies_Be_Deleted\"><\/span>Should Cookies Be Deleted?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cookies are usually harmless and require no special maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, periodically clearing cookies may:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Free a small amount of storage space<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Remove outdated website preferences<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Resolve website login issues<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fix problems caused by corrupted cookies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most modern web browsers allow users to manage or delete cookies through their privacy settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Advantages_of_Cookies\"><\/span>Advantages of Cookies<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cookies provide many benefits, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Faster website navigation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Remembered login sessions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Personalized content<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Functional shopping carts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improved website performance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Better user experience<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Summary\"><\/span>Summary<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cookies are small files stored by websites to remember information about visitors and improve functionality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They are commonly used for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>User authentication<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shopping carts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Website preferences<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Analytics and statistics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Personalized content and advertising<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cookies are generally safe, do not harm computers or mobile devices, and play an important role in the operation of modern websites.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","manualknowledgebasecat":[25],"manual_kb_tag":[573,1332,1758,4519,4522,4523,4524,4525,4526,4527],"class_list":["post-9922","manual_kb","type-manual_kb","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","manualknowledgebasecat-hosting","manual_kb_tag-shopping-cart","manual_kb_tag-session-cookies","manual_kb_tag-user-authentication","manual_kb_tag-browser-cookies","manual_kb_tag-cookies","manual_kb_tag-tracking-cookies","manual_kb_tag-ecommerce-cookies","manual_kb_tag-login-sessions","manual_kb_tag-language-preferences","manual_kb_tag-website-settings"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb\/9922","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/manual_kb"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb\/9922\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9924,"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb\/9922\/revisions\/9924"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9922"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"manualknowledgebasecat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manualknowledgebasecat?post=9922"},{"taxonomy":"manual_kb_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb_tag?post=9922"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}