Channel the Cookie Monster in You – Computer Cookies Can Be Bad For Your Computer’s Health

What in the world is an Internet cookie? This is a common question.  A cookie when on the net means a piece of information that is sent by a web server to your browser, with your browser expected to save and later send back that piece of information, basically information on you and your computer.  Cookies may contain information such as your login or registration information, your user preferences, shopping cart information, etc.  Cookies are usually set to expire after a set time, and are saved in memory until your browser is shut down.  They may be saved to the hard drive if the expiration time has not yet been reached.    Many people dislike the idea of cookies gathering information on them and sending it on to web sites without their permission.  While the idea is unappealing, cookies really are not dangerous, nor are they going to give anyone any information other than that which you have already given them.

The most common type of cookie out there is simply one that tells a web developer that you have visited his page, so that he can count the number of unique visitors he receives.  He won’t know that it was you specifically, just information that you or someone on your computer came to the site.   He will also know any information you gave the site while there.  However, the web developer cannot read information that is on your hard drive.  Your personal information is safe as long as you don’t give it away.   The information the cookie saves is info that you’ve given when registering, and by saving it as a cookie it makes it easier for you to log in the next time.  Much like speed dial on a cell phone.

Information submitted by a user includes things submitted by the browser.  This can include the name and version of the browser and the IP address that it is coming from.  If a person is really concerned about cookies though, then installing a good firewall is one good method to prevent them from being placed on your computer.  Another possibility is to block your IP address, or use an anonymous server.  There are many good programs available to handle those chores for you, ranging from the free to the reasonably priced. 

What is the usefulness of internet cookies?  Search engines and many portals will use cookies to provide customized web pages.  My Yahoo is a good example.  Also many web sites use cookies to allow their users to automatically log in.  They store just a few bits of information and that is enough to save the user time and trial.  Also many web sites use cookies to track visitors.  By assigning a cookie to a visitor, the visitor will be counted only once, so accurate visitor statistics are available.

For someone really worried about cookies, the answer is also quite simple.  Delete them.  When you are done with a web site, delete the cookies, and they are gone, your privacy is secured and the black helicopters go away.   The new world order no longer has your cookie information.

Remember that all browsers support cookies, and a great many web sites, if not most of them use cookies.  Cookies are actually valuable in that they save you time while on a web site and allow the web site to serve you better.  There have been a great many myths circulating across the Internet about cookies, and many people have given in to general cookie paranoia.  If that is the case with you, the best thing you can do is simply don’t worry about it.  Cookies won’t hurt you.  If that isn’t enough, then all browsers will allow you to delete cookies when you log onto a computer and the Internet.  Firewalls will stop cookies from coming in, and if you really wish to lead a cookie free existence, it can be done.  But if you are not paranoid, then forget about it.  Much of the anti cookie propaganda out there comes from companies that sell anti cookie software that you really don’t need.  Cookies are fine.  They won’t bother you or hurt you, and that is just the way the cookie crumbles.