How are cookies used in web applications via Akamai?

Cookies play a critical role in web applications, particularly in how they manage user experiences. The correct answer highlights their primary function, which is to store user preferences and handle authentication processes.

When a user logs into a web application, cookies can be employed to keep them authenticated across sessions. This means that once they log in, the application can remember who they are without requiring them to input their credentials every time they visit. This enhances user convenience significantly.

Additionally, cookies can store various user preferences, such as language settings, display options, or theme choices. When users return to the site, this information can be retrieved from the cookie, allowing for a more personalized and streamlined experience that caters to the individual user's needs.

The other options do not accurately reflect the role of cookies in web applications. Tracking network bandwidth typically involves network monitoring tools and analytics, while enhancing image quality is related to image optimization techniques rather than cookie usage. Similarly, facilitating faster internet connections deals more with the infrastructure of the network rather than the functionality of cookies. Therefore, the use of cookies for storing user preferences and managing authentication stands out as the correct answer.