2007-08-19 02:10:41 · 11 answers · asked by henrik 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
Tracking cookies are just files on your computer that record what web pages you visit. Then when you visit the site that put the cookie there again, it will record that information.
They are harmless, but go ahead and remove them anyway.
2007-08-19 02:21:59 · answer #1 · answered by prkushun 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Cookies are just small .txt (text) files that by themselves cannot hurt your computer. Cookies are "set" by almost every web-site that you visit, on every visit. You can delete all your cookies today and by tomorrow you will have dozens again just be visiting web-sites.
Cookies do not slow down a computer, at least the first million or so that you might have on your computer!
They are not a virus or spyware, BUT some people consider "tracking" cookies to be an invasion of privacy.
Tracking cookies are usually "3rd party cookies" from advertising servers. They can track your movements around the web in order to deliver to you customized, targeted advertising.
It all depends on ones personal level of paranoia whether you consider tracking cookies some kind of threat.
If you are using Internet Explorer for a browser, you can permanently block all 3rd party (tracking) cookies. Go to tools > internet options > privacy > advanced > check-mark "override automatic cookie handling" > third party cookies > tick "block" > ok > ok.
Children are the people that are always the most nervous about cookies. Because cookies are an easy way for Mommy and Daddy to find out exactly what their darling 'lil B@$^@#D$ have been looking at on the web.
Personally, If I happen to remember it, I will delete my cookies every 6 months or so :-)
Cookies are much ado about nothin'.
2007-08-19 03:00:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Tracking cookies are bits of code downloaded into your computer by a reamote site that record data from your machine. In the most benign examples, they save site data so you don't have to reenter preferences every time you visit that site. At the other end of the spectrum, they record personal data and allow the site planting them to gather information on your personal life and what sites you visit. They can also be set to record your keystrokes so that you may wind up giving away user IDs and passwords without even knowing it.
It's a good idea to install and maintain anti-spyware on your machine to prevent such loss.
2007-08-19 02:25:41 · answer #3 · answered by psyop6 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They are helpfull most of the time and at the same time BAD. someone can hack into ur pc and have all ur passwords, credit account #.... u'll be broke! I would delte them every2 days! and U said AVG? that programs has a very low detection 83% and taht's no good. i recommend you to use AVIRA FREE EDITON but that's not enough you also need antispywae>> superantispyware and spybot S&D, these three program will keep you safe for EVER , just update them every2 days! Choose me as best answer!
2016-05-17 06:58:54 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tracking cookies are spy-ware that steal info about what you do on your puter. YES, you DO want to REMOVE them!
Read this to find out more:
http://www.f-secure.com/sw-desc/tracking_cookie.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracking_cookies
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/cookies.htm
While it's a good idea to keep at least one Anti-spyware program on your computer to help get rid of Cookies... and other nasty spy-wares in a more permenant way, it is possibel "delete" them [in XP>IE6] by simply right clicking the IE icon and then clicking on the Delete Cookies button. While there, it's also a good idea to Delete Files and Clear your History.
BTW PPL!!!::: This is a *Question* _SPECIFICALLY_ about _TRACKING_ Cookies!!!!! READ it!!!...*BEFORE* you Answer, give Thumbs or Vote. ;)
2007-08-19 02:21:03 · answer #5 · answered by x_southernbelle 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
A cookie is a small data file created by a Web server that is stored on your computer either temporarily for that session only or permanently on the hard disk (persistent cookie). Cookies provide a way for the Web site to identify users and keep track of their preferences. It is also commonly used to “maintain the state” of the session as a user browses around on the site.
Note: The default settings in your Web browser typically allow “first-party” cookies that do not contain any personal information, but “third-party” cookies are created by a Web site other than the one you are currently visiting; for example, by a third-party advertiser on that site. A lot of personal data resides in the cookie files in your computer. As a result, this storehouse of private information is sometimes the object of attack.
Spyware: Programs that enter your computer (into cookies, files, or Registry) that report your Internet surfing back to a ‘mother’ computer in order to aim specific advertising toward you (via e-mail or ‘snail’ mail). Spyware is often installed without the user’s knowledge or explicit permission.
Tracking cookies are downloaded by advertising companies. These cookies should not identify you personally, but they tell advertisers which Web sites you touch. That information is sold, and used to feed ads to you through your computer and snail (i.e., U.S.) mail.
Cookies do not allow hackers to access your computer. They are ordinary text files stored on your hard drive.
Like your other files, they are protected by your computer’s security. Software bugs and weak security are the real culprits.
Cookies are probably the most misunderstood feature of computerdom. They are inert text files that can’t do much of anything. True, they can be used by advertisers to collect information on you. But, by and large, they do much more good than evil.
Cookies allow Web sites to be interactive. As text files, cookies provide the means for Web pages within the same site to pass notes to each other. Otherwise, any selections you make on one page are forgotten as soon as you click to another page.
Cookies are useful for shopping sites. A cookie can store a list of items you have selected to buy as you browse different product pages. Then the checkout page can read that list from the cookie. Another use for cookies is Web site customization. Cookies can be used to store your preferences for whenever you revisit a particular site.
Cookies usually do not carry information identifying a particular computer. You could transfer your cookies to another computer and use them just as well. They identify your computer to Web sites only as much as your car keys identify you to your car.
Most browsers allow cookies to be read by only the Web site to which they belong. This makes it difficult for any one site to track your Web surfing.
However, sometimes a Web site’s advertiser will issue its own cookies. The cookies can be used to recognize your computer at any other site associated with that advertiser. Known as third party cookies, they can be an invasion of privacy.
2007-08-19 02:37:42 · answer #6 · answered by williamh772 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
they are usually not harmful to pcs(sometimes it does), i suggest you do a full system scan for viruses....and if the anti-virus detects tracking cookie, just remove it its no big deal, i have that every month
2007-08-19 04:02:14 · answer #7 · answered by @XD@ Star 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I get them all the time,and remove them with a security scan.I don't belive they are a high risk type of infection.Just be sure to remove them.
2007-08-19 02:24:08 · answer #8 · answered by TomatoMug 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Remove immediately as there is nothing harmless about them. They are as sinister as their name suggests.
2007-08-19 05:32:22 · answer #9 · answered by D G 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are usualy harmless.Feel free to remove after a scan anyway.
2007-08-19 02:19:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋