2006-11-22 17:43:22 · 6 answers · asked by dei 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Internet
Well,
cookie Last modified: Monday, November 03, 2003
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.
Also see session cookie and persistent cookie.
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 from UNIX 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.
Cookies are messages that web servers pass to your web browser when you visit Internet sites. Your browser stores each message in a small file, called cookie.txt. When you request another page from the server, your browser sends the cookie back to the server. These files typically contain information about your visit to the web page, as well as any information you've volunteered, such as your name and interests.
The term "cookie" is an allusion to a Unix program called Fortune Cookie that produces a different message, or fortune, each time it runs.
Examples of cookies
Cookies are most commonly used to track web site activity. When you visit some sites, the server gives you a cookie that acts as your identification card. Upon each return visit to that site, your browser passes that cookie back to the server. In this way, a web server can gather information about which web pages are used the most, and which pages are gathering the most repeat hits.
Cookies are also used for online shopping. Online stores often use cookies that record any personal information you enter, as well as any items in your electronic shopping cart, so that you don't need to re-enter this information each time you visit the site.
Servers also use cookies to provide personalized web pages. When you select preferences at a site that uses this option, the server places the information in a cookie. When you return, the server uses the information in the cookie to create a customized page for you.
Security concerns
Only the web site that creates a cookie can read it. Additionally, web servers can use only information that you provide or choices that you make while visiting the web site as content in cookies.
Webmasters have always been able to track access to their sites, but cookies make it easier to do so. In some cases, cookies come not from the site you're visiting, but from advertising companies that manage the banner ads for a set of sites (such as DoubleClick.com). These advertising companies can develop detailed profiles of the people who select ads across their customers' sites.
Accepting a cookie does not give a server access to your computer or any of your personal information (except for any information that you may have purposely given, as with online shopping). Servers can read only cookies that they have set, so other servers do not have access to your information. Also, it is not possible to execute code from a cookie, and not possible to use a cookie to deliver a virus.
Viewing and controlling cookies
To view and control cookie settings, see the appropriate Knowledge Base document below, or consult your browser's help files:
In Safari for Mac OS X, how do I view and control cookies?
Using Netscape, Firefox, or Mozilla, how do I view and control cookies?
In Microsoft Internet Explorer for Windows, how do I view and control cookies?
In Microsoft Internet Explorer for Mac OS or Mac OS X, how do I view and control cookies?
For further information
2006-11-22 17:54:49 · answer #1 · answered by sriram 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they r small files that keep track of things like web pages, prefernces and passwords and searches on a site u visit.when u open most sites u get a cookie that keeps track of ur stuff on that site.
some cookies arso keep track of other sites u go to, usually through links.the idea of cookies is that u have a record of ur preferences so that its easier the next time u come to the site.
some cookies are a security threat as third parties can view em,and find out where u've been.
u can get rid of em thru Tools>interne options>delete cookies.
2006-11-23 01:58:30 · answer #2 · answered by implosion13 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They record the information of the websites you visit. For example they help it so that the page loads faster and not only that, but they also keep track of your username and passwords. You know hows sometimes you are asked if you want windows to record your username and password? Well they get stores in that website's cookie so that next time it just appears there and you can just log in without having to type it in again.
2006-11-23 01:50:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like using http://moonsearch.com to check on site's cookies
2014-06-13 11:11:37 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These are small files that gather information about the user's preferences when they browse a particular website so that the next time they visit the website their preferences are saved to get them to browse more easily........
2006-11-23 01:47:19 · answer #5 · answered by compu-illiterate~Yeah tats me 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cookies is these tings you eat wit milk
2006-11-23 01:51:17 · answer #6 · answered by Sordenhiemer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋