Which is NOT a function of cookies?

Cookies are small pieces of data stored on a user's device by the web browser while browsing a website. They serve various functions that enhance user experience on the internet.

One of the primary functions of cookies is to save login information. This allows users to access websites without having to enter their credentials every time they visit. Similarly, cookies track user activity across websites, enabling functionalities like targeted advertising and personalized content. Additionally, they remember user preferences, which can enhance the usability of websites by saving settings like language preferences or theme choices.

However, protecting data transactions is not a function of cookies. Cookies may facilitate the process of maintaining sessions or remembering items, but they do not provide security for transactions themselves. Data protection typically involves encryption and secure protocols (such as HTTPS) that ensure data is transmitted securely, which is outside the scope of what cookies are designed to do. This central difference clarifies why the option regarding the protection of data transactions is not a function of cookies.