What is a cookie?

#386 | 3:01 |

Tutorials

Tuesday September 8, 2009

As you travel the Internet you hear talk about "

cookies

." Some sources imply that cookies are bad. That they're

software that spies on you

. Here we're going to tell you what a "cookie" really is and what it does!

Download this episode now

Quicktime

Subscribe to this show

Quicktime

Windows Media

Show Notes

- A "

cookie

" in computer terminology, is not edible!

- A

cookie is

a simple text file that works with your

.

- Cookies are not "programs" at all. The only work with your browser.

- Cookies, in general, are not "spyware" although some cookies are "tracking cookies".

- Tracking cookies are used to track your movements on the Internet.

- Tracking cookies are also used to track your movement on a particular site. This helps the site to gather statistics that they can use to get advertisers.

- Most browsers today let you decide the fate of cookies on your system.

- Even tracking cookies are not dangerous, but they do track you.

-

Cookies serve a very useful function on Web sites

.

- They keep the information that "personalizes" a site for you.

- They let you define how a Web site works for you, like how many search results to display.

- Remove all the cookies and you'll find that your favorite Web site won't "remember" you.

- Be judicious when removing cookies from sites you like to visit.

Tagged: