what are cookies for? and what happen if they are disabled?

Answer 1

You've gotten good answers to your question, but you should know you have posted this to the wrong section - this is a section about PEOPLE with disabilities - NOT disabled computer settings.

Some cookies are important - so if you disable them all you may find some important things don't work - like access to online bank accounts.

Answer 2

If you disable cookies on your hard drive, websites can't plant information on your computer. Sometimes this is good for security (if you are visiting sites that are prone to viruses) but mostly, it is just a tool for your computer to work faster and learn you better so it can save YOU time. If they are disabled, you can't shop online, and your computer takes longer to find even your fav websites, and it may prohibit you from downloading material.

When you visit a website, you get a cookie, and the "crumbs" left by that cookie help you find the website faster next time you visit...it's like a path back to that website so the computer doesn't have to find it all over again. This is why your fav websites seem to be "familiar" to your computer and tend to load easily.

I think it also helps search engines to learn what your preferences are, so that when you look up something you get more of what you are likely to need.

If you visit a lot of different websites, or if you are using a public terminal, or if you are trying to eliminate traces of where you have been online, you need to clean the cookies. It is also part of disc cleanup but it really doesn't eliminate much disc space...cookies are tiny but they do accumulate fast, so every now and again, it is good to dump them.

Answer 3

It's a nasty little thing that sites you visit set on your hard drive. They cannot cause any harm but are used to monitor your behaviour, sites you visit, etc. Some sites use them relatively legitimately - those that need to keep session data for ordering, secure transactions, etc. while others needlessly set not only their own but also other crooks' cookies like "marketing research" outfits such as doubleclick, etc.
You can block cookies in you browser privacy settings but blocking them outright will not let you check yahoo mail, for instance. The other option is to allow certain sites only (Exceptions) to set cookies for the session ONLY, and only ORIGINATING (First party cookies). And finally, stop using explorer and switch to Mozilla - not surprisingly, it allows more flexible cookie management AND under no circumstances allow third party cookies except those required for example by your bank on-line account management that uses somebody else's service. Here is how to set it up: clear all cookies, allow first party cookies only, visit the site and make sure all functions work. After that, check cookies that have been set in the Tools/Privacy settings, and include those that appear legit in the Exceptions list. Clear cookies, disable cookies (those in the exception list will still be allowed) and re-visit the site to verify that everything works.
I personally just don't go to sites that reqiure cokies with no legit purpose but maybe you are among those who "have nothing to hide"... It's not about hiding but my life is nobody's goddamn business!

Answer 4

Cookies are not really an important as some people who feared of spyware. It nothing but a stamp on your postcard stating that you visit this website.

Bank use cookies to keep you login and allow you to continues doing business.

Make sure in the internet option, that you leave the bar at medium for cookies security.

Answer 5

Cookies are little spies that keep track of what you are doing on your computer. They should be deleted from time to time to improve the speed of your computer

open "Control Panel"
click om 'internet options"
Delete "cookies"
the 'temp file' holds all the "active X box controls" you might have installed
If you can delete them too and install it the next time you visit the site you recieve it from

Answer 6

you eat them. i would be crying lol