Cookies

Cookies

A message given to a Web browser by a Web server. The browser stores the message in a text file. The message is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server.

The main purpose of cookies is to identify users and possibly prepare customized Web pages for them. When you enter a Web site using cookies, you may be asked to fill out a form providing such information as your name and interests. This information is packaged into a cookie and sent to your Web browser which stores it for later use. The next time you go to the same Web site, your browser will send the cookie to the Web server. The server can use this information to present you with custom Web pages. So, for example, instead of seeing just a generic welcome page you might see a welcome page with your name on it.

The name cookie derives fromUNIX objects called magic cookies. These are tokens that are attached to a user or program and change depending on the areas entered by the user or program

If you talk to a typical surfer, you'll find one of their biggest fears is of this horrible thing called a cookie. Based on the press, cookies are so dangerous, such a huge security risk that anyone would be foolish to even consider letting one within a mile of him.

In actuality, cookies are harmless. All they are is a simple bit of text which web sites use to identify a surfer in some manner. This could be as simple as a numeric character saying "this is Ronald", or in some cases it can contain actual email addresses, phone numbers or addresses - BUT ONLY IF THESE WERE ENTERED BY THE SURFER.

Cookies can be very wonderful as, properly used, they can personalize the surfing experience making it that much more profitable and enjoyable.

Sometimes their use is of more concern, as in DoubleClick's use of them to keep a record of your surfing habits. This company claims they use the data to give you exposure to ads more tailored to your desires, but it raises some critical privacy concerns. What's the problem? DoubleClick and other similar companies keep a record of all of your surfing habits. Do you trust them? Do you even know who they are?

In some rare instances, amateur webmasters actually store credit card or other sensitive data directly in a cookie. This is extremely bad practice and anyone who discovers it should most definitely complain loud and clear. Fortunately, it is fairly rare.

Perhaps the main real danger of a cookie is that it records what has been surfed. For example, if you surfed to a site called "someporn.com", you might get a cookie file named "mark@someporn.com".Mark might have to think fast if his wife examined his cookie directory.

Generally, cookies are extremely valuable. Sometimes they may let others know more about what you've been doing than you desire. My recommendation is to find a good cookie management product and install it on your computer. Then selectively accept or decline cookies from specific sites as you are asked.

Questions about cookies? from Microsoft Read more.

Cookie Central Features news, informative articles, and FAQs about Internet Cookies.

The Unofficial Cookie FAQ Contains an introduction to cookies and answers general questions. Includes sections on cookie fundamentals, creation, retrieval, and advanced topics. This FAQ is hosted by the Cookie Center site.