Browser Help

Cookies

see also: Encrypted pages and Clearing your browser's cache

What's a Cookie?

A cookie is a one-line piece of text that a web server asks permission to place on your computer. If you agree, then your browser adds the text to a file called the "cookie file". The line of text is referred to as a cookie. The cookie lets the web server record bits of information about your browsing habits while visiting the site.

The browser permits the web server to modify only the cookie that it added. It can not modify cookies that other web servers have added.

When you load a page from the site, the page searches the cookie file to see if a cookie exists. The web server can generate different pages based on the information in the cookie. If the cookie information indicates that you browsed a certain area of the site, then the server might generate a page letting you know that that area has had new information added since your last visit.

The cookie file only tells the server that a previous visitor has returned. It doesn't tell the web server who you are, your e-mail address or anything else personal. Only you can provide additional information. If you fill-out a form for example, that information can be stored in the cookie so that the web server can fill-in that information when you fill the form out a second time. You won't have to retype your name and address because the server can fill-in those fields for you.

Cookies do have restrictions. The browser controls the cookie file and the information in each cookie. There is a limitation one the length of the one line of text. There are cookies that remain on your computer after you close the browser (persistent cookies), and there are cookies whose lives last only until you close the browser (session cookies).

Cookies have there advantages and disadvantages. Blocking cookies will sometimes make pages break. While accepting them makes will enhance the experience of a web site.

How to Set Your Cookies

In Internet Explorer

Select "Tools", then "Internet Options", then the "Privacy" tab. Click the "Advanced" button. You have several options to choose from regarding cookies. You can block cookies all together, be prompted when a page asks to create one, or block them completely.

If you select "Tools", then "Internet Options", then the "General" tab, there are buttons in the middle of the window where you can delete all cookies and files (pages) that are cached on your hard drive.

In Netscape 4

Select "Edit", then "Preferences", then click on "Advanced". At the bottom of the window are your cookie settings.

In Netscape 7

Select "View", then "Preference", then click on "Privacy & Security" and click on "Cookies". Your cookies setting will display to the right. Netscape 7 has a neat feature. It will let you look at all the cookies by clicking on the "Manage Stored Cookies" button.