What occurs when a user clears cookies in relation to their session?

When a user clears cookies, their session typically starts over or a new session is initiated. This is because session management in web applications often relies on cookies to store session identifiers. When cookies are cleared, the application loses the information that links the user to their prior session. As a result, the system will treat the user as if they are visiting the site for the first time, necessitating the creation of a new session.

This behavior is particularly significant in web applications that utilize cookies for authentication or to maintain state. Clearing cookies effectively disrupts the continuity of the user's interaction with the application, resulting in a fresh session being established and requiring re-authentication or re-establishment of stateful data.

The other options don't accurately describe the outcome of clearing cookies; for instance, the session is not simply paused, as that implies a temporary state while the session context remains intact. Similarly, while the session can become invalid after cookies are removed, it's more precise to state that a new session starts due to the lack of session identifiers. Lastly, while a user may be logged out automatically as a result of losing session cookies, that is a consequence of starting a new session rather than an inherent result of the action of clearing cookies.