When a browser connects to a website, certain pieces of information which are necessary to facilitate the connection are transferred to the server.
For example, the server will receive your IP address and a port number, which are necessary for it to know where to send the response.
This information is often logged by the server, allowing the website developer to produce reports showing how often a webpage was loaded and how many different IP addresses accessed it.</p>
<p>However, most website operators want more information about their visitors, including tracking their web browsing across multiple websites.
When a browser connects to a website, certain pieces of information which are necessary to facilitate the connection are transferred to the server.
For example, the server will receive your IP address and a port number, which are necessary for it to know where to send the response.
This information is often logged by the server, allowing the website developer to produce reports showing how often a webpage was loaded and how many different IP addresses accessed it.</p>
<p>However, most website operators want more information about their visitors, including tracking their web browsing across multiple websites.