V-B. Dealing With Cookies

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1. A word about "cookies"

(To learn much more about cookies, check out "Cookie Control" by Vic Laurie)

  1. "Cookies" are small computer files that are created by the some of the sites you visit on the World Wide Web.  They contain information about such things as the date and time of your visit, the password you have chosen for the particular web site, and perhaps some information about your preferences or your default choices.; The technical term for this is "state information."

  2. This information is used when you make a return visit. The site can respond with "Oh, there you are again. This is what I know about you and this is what I think you want me to do for you."

  3. You can configure your browser to refuse cookies, but then you might not be able to access the site (some won’t admit you if you don’t accept their cookie)

  4. You can buy software that routes cookies to RAM rather than to your hard disk cache and, thus, they are deleted when you shut down your computer. Other software allows you to edit the cookies in your system and to delete the ones you don't want. Examples are

    1. Cookie Crusher v3.0
    2. Window Washer v4.8
    3. Cookie Pal v1.7
    4. RealTime Cookie Cleaner v2.0

  5. In general, you shouldn’t worry too much about cookies. Think of them as being there to make your life easier and your Web surfing more personalized

  6. There is, however, one exception to this rule. Under certain circumstances, cookies can be used to inform the sender of your email address which then can be sold to mass mailers. This is probably no more intrusive than when the magazines you subscribe to sell your mailing address to catalog vendors, but it is worth thinking about. For more information see "Is Online Privacy Dead"

2. Spyware

  1. Spyware is a collection of "nasty" cookies that are supplied by commercial firms who garner information from your computer while you are browsing the Web, collate it, and sell the results to advertisers

  2. Thus, it is a form of cookie which is not desirable to have on your computer.

  3. To deal with Spyware, you should scan your computer regularly with free software programs like:

    1. AdAware
    2. SpyBot Search and Destroy

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