What type of cookie is stored only in memory during a website visit?

The correct answer is the transient cookie. Transient cookies, also known as session cookies, are designed to exist only during a single browsing session. They are stored in the computer's memory temporarily and are deleted when the user closes their web browser. This means that any data stored in transient cookies will not persist beyond the session, ensuring that any user-specific information does not remain accessible to others if the browser is closed.

Persistent cookies, on the other hand, remain on the user’s device for a set period of time or until they are manually deleted, which provides a means of tracking user behavior over time. Security and authentication cookies are also types of cookies that might store user-specific information, but they can persist beyond a single session, especially if they are supposed to enhance security or manage user sessions across multiple visits.

In summary, transient cookies are specifically meant to support a user’s experience during a single session without leaving lasting data on the device, which makes them quite distinct from persistent cookies, security cookies, and authentication cookies.