What term describes cookies that remain on the hard drive even after the web browser is closed?

The term that describes cookies which remain on the hard drive even after the web browser is closed is persistent cookies. These cookies are designed to be stored for a defined period, and they can survive browser sessions, allowing websites to remember information about a user's visit over multiple sessions. This feature enhances user experience by remembering login information, user preferences, and other data, enabling more personalized interactions when the user returns to the site.

In contrast, session cookies are temporary and only exist while the browser is open; once the browser is closed, these cookies are deleted. Temporary cookies, which often overlap in meaning with session cookies, also do not persist beyond the browsing session. Local cookies, while relating to cookies stored on the user's device, do not specifically refer to the persistence aspect that distinguishes persistent cookies. Thus, persistent cookies is the most accurate term for the described functionality.