ALL ABOUT
COOKIES
What are cookies?
Cookies are simply small text files (usually less
than 1K in size), that your browser picks up at many Web sites and then automatically
stores in a special directory on your hard drive.
Where do cookies come from?
The websites you visit may generate a cookie with
information supplied by YOU.This information may be your zip code, your username, or any
other information you provided on an online form and it MAY be used to construct a cookie.
What are cookies used for?
Personalized content delivery is one of the most
common uses of cookies. A cookie can act like small, digital ID badge. With them, Web
sites can "remember" who you are and what your preferences are and customize
their site for you the next time you visit
What else are they used for?
Cookies may be used to allow a virtual
"shopping cart," to "remember" the items you have selected as you
switch from one page to another within a mall or "store" site If you
terminate your connection while shopping, the items will remain in your shopping cart
until you reconnect to the site.
What about advertisers? How do they use cookies?
Advertising companies can use information
stored as cookies to send you targeted ad banners. One large advertising network has come
under some criticism for trying to track customers by creating cookie-generated profiles.
The company then tries to serve you with ad banners they think you will respond to; it
claims not, however, to gather personal information or sell any of its cookie data.
If cookies are text files, who can read this text?
A cookie can only be read by the site domain that
created it. Webmasters can't snoop through all your cookies and find out information about
you.
Can a cookie carry a virus that will infect my computer?
No. Viruses are carried by executable files. Since
cookies are text only, which cannot contain executable files, they cannot carry viruses.
So what's the big deal? Why do some people object to cookies?
Some anti-cookie sentiment is based on
misinformation and paranoia: That cookies are malicious, that they can snoop around your
hard drive and gather information about you, that they can reveal personal information.
But cookies are simple text files that cannot capture any information about you. They only
store information you have voluntarily provided while visiting a site. And browsers
already reveal some information about you without cookies: your IP address, operating
system, browser type, etc.
Do I have to accept cookies?
No, you do not. Most browsers can be configured to
refuse all cookies. Though not accepting cookies will make you lose out on many features
of the Web. You will, for instance, have to reregister each time you want to use a
password Page and you will not be able to configure any personalized features if you do
not accept any cookies. Some game sites can become totally unusable without cookies
because the site will not be able to store preferences, scores and levels without them.
Can I accept some and reject others?
Yes, you can. It is common for people to set
their browsers to alert them before accepting a cookie. This way you can pick and choose
which ones you want to accept.
How do I set my browser so I can choose to accept or reject cookies?
You can configure your Web browser to alert you before accepting
cookies if you are using Netscape 3.0 or above, or Microsoft's Internet Explorer 3.0 or
above.
Netscape Navigator (Windows and Macintosh)
In version 4.0, go to the Edit menu and select Preferences. In the left menu
pane, click Advanced. On the right pane, find the section titled Cookies and
check the box labeled Warn me before accepting a cookie. Click OK.
In version 3.0, go to the Options menu and select Network Preferences. Then
select the Protocols tab. Locate the section titled Show an alert before and
check the box labeled Accepting a Cookie. Click OK.
Internet Explorer (Windows)
In version 4.0, go to the View menu and select Internet Options. Click the Advanced
tab. Scroll down the list and find the Cookies section. Check the box labeled Prompt
before accepting cookies. Click OK.
In version 3.0, go to the View menu and click on Options. Select the Advanced
tab. In the Warnings section, check the box labeled Warn before accepting
cookies.
Internet Explorer (Macintosh)
In version 3.0 and later, go to the Edit menu and select Preferences. In the
left menu pane, click on Cookies (you may have to click the small arrow next to Receiving
Files to see the Cookies option). On the right, find the pull-down menu labeled
When receiving cookies and select Ask for each cookie. Click OK
With any of these browsers, you will now receive a warning when any
cookie is sent, and have the option of declining the cookie.
Other sites that explain about cookies?
Netscape:
HTML Cookies Documentation
CNET: The
Truth about Cookies
Cookie Central
So You Want a
Cookie, huh?
Malcolm's Guide
to Persistent Cookies
Andy's HTTP Cookie
Notes
Builder.com:
Adding Cookies to Your Site
Interactive Week: The
Web Gets Personal
Interactive Week: Can
Cookies Crumble Your Browser?
Making it Personal
with Cookies
PC
Week: Are Cookies a Treat or a Recipe for Trouble?
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