Cookies are small text files that a website stores on your computer. They are generally used to remember users and their preferences, either for a single visit (using a "session cookie") or for multiple repeat visits (through a "persistent cookie"). This allows websites to improve the way they work, such as tracking a user's use of a website for statistical analysis or remembering preferences expressed by a user. Cookies may be set by the site that you are visiting (known as "first-party cookies") or by third parties, such as those who serve content or provide advertising or analytics services on the website ("third-party cookies").