What are 'cookies' used for in web browsing contexts?

Cookies are small pieces of data that websites store on a user's device while they browse the web. They serve multiple functions, but one of the primary uses is to track user activity. This tracking can be utilized to enhance the user experience by remembering preferences, login information, and shopping cart contents, thereby making subsequent visits more seamless and personalized.

However, the tracking capabilities of cookies can also raise significant privacy concerns. Since cookies can store information over long periods, they can be used to build a detailed profile of a user's browsing habits, which some users may find intrusive. This duality of improving user experience while also posing potential risks to privacy is a critical aspect of the role cookies play in web browsing.

The other options present alternative functionalities that cookies do not typically serve. For instance, cookies do not permanently store passwords as this poses security risks; instead, they can remember sessions or tokens that help log users back into a site. Blocking ads is more commonly associated with ad-blockers or specific browser settings rather than the purpose of cookies. Lastly, cookies do not have the function of automatically downloading files; that action is governed by different mechanisms tied to browser settings or webpage design. Therefore, the role of cookies in tracking user activity to enhance experiences—while also