Understanding Cookies on Your Computer

Most people do not know what cookies are and the role they play in their day to do day life on the computer. Cookies are text files that are created and stored on your computer's hard drive by some of the sites you visit. The idea is to help the consumer by not having him enter the information he has previously submitted when he revisits the site. The consumer needs to be aware that cookies can be used to store any information that they submit online, even important things such as credit card numbers, social security numbers or bank account numbers. Make sure that in the instance where you need to give this information, the site is secure and the cookies are deleted after use.

Cookies are also important to the web sites in that the faster the consumer gets to the information, goods or services they have to offer, the longer he has access to the site. They hope that the consumer also enjoys ease of access and will be encouraged to come back.

Simply, they are designed to save your preferences on a site such as your log in information, your password, the section you visit etc. Say you visit a clothing store and surf the women's section. A cookie could be designed such that when you return, you could be logged in directly to the women's section. Most sites will prompt the consumer for a cookie to be created by asking the consumer to check a box stating "Remember this password?" or "Remember ID on this computer?" Once you check the box, a cookie is created.

Cookies may be abused in cases whereby another user uses your cookie to access the sites you visit and information that belongs you. This is especially in cases where the computer hard drive that has your cookies has multiple users. This information may be sold or used in a way that the owner may not approve.

Cookies do not migrate. If your cookies are saved, say, on the computer at home and you try to access the same site from another computer, say, at the office, you have to re enter your information and create another cookie there.

If your computer has multiple users, you may choose not to create cookies. For those that self create, you may delete them after every use. On your browser, go to 'Tools', click on 'Internet options' ; 'delete cookies' and then click 'ok.' This deletes all temporary cookies that have been created during your session.

Some cookies are permanent and are not deleted when your session expires. They expire after a period of time set by the web site. These are mainly used to study consumer behavior when surfing their sites in addition to the usual benefits of quicker access.©