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So
why are cookies
on a computer? It's hard to imagine the
function of cookies when you hear the name. Internet
cookies go by several different names: http cookies,
tracking cookies, web cookies, cache cookies, browser cookies, computer
cookies, web site cookies, and so on.
Internet cookies aren't spyware, malware,
viruses
or computer programs. They are small text files (4 kilobytes
on average)
that are
sent from your
browser to a server.
Its easier to picture an Internet cookie more as a small
text note
left on a computer by a web browser for a different computer
to read.
For example I might be registered at a dozen different web
sites
using a different username and password at each web site. I
would never
remember what username and password went to what web site.
If
I
wrote that information down on a small note I
wouldn't have to remember. An Internet cookie works in a
similar
fashion. |
Having
cookies on a computer isn't necessarily a bad thing. They can
store
your personal settings about a
favorite website or homepage. Many online shops
require that you have cookies enabled on your browser before
you can make purchases.
Some tracking cookies however record your
browsing habits. Servers send you ads based
on
tracking
cookie records.
This is why I don't care for
tracking cookies Anyone
can get a good idea of your Internet browsing habits
if they can see the advertisements being sent to you.
Something to think about next
time someone is standing over your
shoulder watching you
surf.
If you don't clear cookies
regularly you'll collect hundreds of them. Eventually they
slow down dial up. Ccleaner (Crap cleaner) is a free system
cleaning tool that will safely remove cookies, clear caches and clean
up windows registry. Ccleaner is a relatively small download and doable
over a dial up connection. You have to manually download new copies of
Ccleaner and install them to
update. Removing cookies on a computer will
make
dial up faster and in some cases protect your
privacy. System cleaning tools do not remove malware
or viruses. |