No doubt you have heard of the computer term cookie. In my Computer Tutor business I have heard many attempts at defining the term cookie and very few that I have heard are accurate. Misconceptions abound as to what they are, what purpose they serve, and whether or not they are a threat to your personalsecurity.

 

Upon completing this article you should understand how and what purpose a cookie serves to your computer and Internet travels. I will attempt to answer some basic questions to clear up the most common misconceptions.

 

For example:

 

1.What is a cookie?

2.What benefit does a cookie provide to the Internet user?

3.Do cookies pose a threat to your personal security?

4.Can cookies be removed from your computer?

 

WHAT IS A COOKIE?

To begin let's examine the basic function of a cookie. Cookies were originally designed to enable Internet users to access frequented web sites without having to fill out identifying information on every return visit.

 

In simple terms a cookie is merely information stored on your own computer for future use.

 

WHAT BENEFIT DOES A COOKIE PROVIDE?

 

On your initial visit to a web site you may supply personal information and/or preferences. The web site in turn would then place a cookie containing this information on your computer. Thereafter each time you returned to the web page, the information generated from the cookie could then be used to identify you.

 

This information could include your personal, financial information as well as preferences when using that site. Web pages use this information to rotate ad banners so that you are not constantly bombarded with the same ads. This enables variety for you as well as gives the advertisers better success at targeting your purchasing inclinations.

 

In principal cookies are harmless enough. That said is there any need for concern?

 

DO COOKIES POSE A THREAT TO YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY?

 

I have heard it said that you can get a virus from cookies. This is untrue. For a virus to be spread to your computer the cookie would have to be an "executible" file. If a cookie is not stored in an executable format, it cannot do something hostile.

 

Basically cookies cannot do harm to your computer. Cookies are text based therefore will not spread any viruses. The argument is not so much what cookies can do to your computer , but what information they can store and pass on to third parties.

 

Some unscrupulous entities are using cookies subversively to track your surfing habits on the Web. These ones underhandedly plant their cookies and then retreive them in such a way that they are able to gather detailed information as to your buying habits, personal information and even your lifestyle. Keep in mind, however, that cookies can only report on what you have entered.

 

While this may not present a cause for alarm, we are used to corporations devising ways to target us with annoying advertising campaigns, it is alarming, however, to ponder how this porfolio of intimate information could be significantly used in the future.

 

CAN COOKIES BE REMOVED FROM YOUR COMPUTER?

 

You have several options concerming cookies. You can disable the feature on your browsers that allow cookies. This can be a nuisance, though, as many Web pages cannot be accessed if you have cookies disabled.

 

Another option is to set the browser to ask if you want to allow a certain cookie to be placed on your computer. This, too, can be extremely annoying since so many web sites do place cookies, and you have to repeatedly stop to answer yes or no. Think about it, how do you know what to allow and what is not acceptable.

 

In some browsers like Opera, there is a feature that you can set to only allow a cookie that gets sent directly back to the web page server that you are currently accessing. This is the better option of the three, but also hinders the viewing of some web pages.

 

The option that I like the best is to allow all cookies and to delete them from my hard drive. In this way you are able to access the web pages desired and maintain your privacy.

 

Although web sites will still be to track your movements during any one session, if you delete the cookies folder contents daily, or even after each online session, no one will be able to keep a long term eye on you.

 

To delete the contents of your Cookies folder click 'Start', go to 'Programs', then 'Accessories', last to 'Windows Explorer'. In windows explorer locate the 'WINDOWS' folder and double-click. The contents of the windows folder will open on the right side (contents) of the windows explorer. Select the file that is named 'COOKIES'. On the menu bar choose edit and then click on  'Select All'. This will highlight the contents of the cookies folder. Right-click on one of the highlighted files and select 'Delete' and this will remove the cookies from the folder.

 

You will note that there are two files that you will not be able to delete. By default Windows does not allow you to permanently delete these two dat files.In part 2 of this article I will share some options you may have in dealing   with these two undeletable files.