Cookies: What Are They?

• What Are Cookies, And Are They Dangerous?
  
  Cookies are text-only strings that are entered into the memory of your browser when you visit certain websites . They are not executable programs, so they cannot harm your computer. They can be used as a tracking device. Sometimes this can be very useful to you (permitting personalized information without forcing you to constantly enter passwords).
  
  
• Can I Delete Cookies?
  
  Yes. Keep in mind, deleting your cookie file entirely will cause you to "start from scratch" with every web site you usually visit, so you may not want to delete them all.
  
  
  • Netscape Communicator:
    
    
    • Close your browser.
    • Find the cookies.txt file. (It is probably in the C:/Program Files/Netscape/Communicator/Cape.Com, Inc. folder, but if you cannot find it there, click Start, Find, Files or Folders, and search for it.)
    • Delete any entries you wish, or, if you are not concerned about starting from scratch at every site you visit, delete the file.
    • To prevent Netscape Communicator from accepting any any new cookies: open Netscape, then click on Edit, Preferences. Click on Advanced, then click Disable Cookies. You may be unable to view certain web sites if you disable cookies.
      
      
  • Internet Explorer 4 or 5:
    
    
    • Close your browser.
    • Find the cookies folder (probably in C:/Windows).
    • Delete any files you wish from the folder.
    • To prevent Internet Explorer from accepting any new cookies (you may be unable to view certain web sites if you disable cookies) :
      IE 4: Open Internet Explorer, then click View, Internet Options. Scroll down to Cookies, then click Disable.
      IE 5: Open Internet Explorer, then click Tools, then Internet Options. Click the Security tab, click Internet, click Custom Level, then under Cookies, click Disable.
      
      
• How Can I Get Rid Of That Annoying "Do You Wish To Allow The Cookie To Be Sent" Message?
  
  
  • From Netscape Communicator, click Edit, Preferences, Advanced. Uncheck "Warn Me Before Accepting A Cookie".
  • From Internet Explorer, click on View, Internet Options, Advanced. Uncheck "Prompt Before Accepting Cookies".

Related Links