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General discussion

Cookies

Jul 8, 2004 2:15AM PDT

I'm wondering if anyone has any information on managing cookies? My web browser has a feature for managing cookies, and I really don't know much about them and would like to read up on it so I can use this feature. Every time I try searching the web for information, it brings up cookie recipes.

Discussion is locked

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Basically. . .
Jul 8, 2004 2:34AM PDT

it means accepting or rejecting; saving, or deleting. I have my browser (IE6) set to alert me whenever a site wants to set a cookie. If the cookie is not from that site, I reject. Sometimes this disables some site features, but I live with it.

Manage your cookies periodically by looking at them and deleting those that are old, or look suspicious. If you delete a "good" cookie, like ones for banking, clubs, etc. you may have to log in again. No big deal.

Good luck,

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I think computer viruses should count as life. I think it says something about human nature that the only form of life we have created so far is purely destructive. We've created life in our own image. - - Stephen W. Hawking

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Re: Cookies
Jul 8, 2004 3:05AM PDT

Please note that just above the text editor (where you enter a question on the forum) is the following paragraph, and if certain information is not present in your question, our reply may not be of much help:

Tip: If you are asking for help to troubleshoot a computer-related problem, please be sure to include all the necessary information (ie: operating system, model number, hardware, software, etc) that will help others identify your problem for a speedy resolution.

1. Please read the applicable Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) article that may apply to your question:

a. Internet Explorer version 5 and below: (Clicking a link opens it in a separate window for your convenience. Clicking a second link also opens it in that same one)

(1) "Location of Cookies File in Internet Explorer (Q153417)."

(2) "Information About the Security Alert Message for Cookies in Internet Explorer and Outlook Express (Q154360)."

(3) "Emptying Temporary Internet Files Folder Leaves Cookies Files (Q158769)."

(3) "How to Disable Prompt When You Receive a Cookie (Q166326)."

Note: IOW, how to turn them on or off for all versions inluding Netscape..

(4) "Not Accepting Cookies (Q175662)."

(5) "Error Message When You Click Search in Internet Explorer (Q178141)."

(6) "Troubleshooting Windows Update Connection and Download Problems (Q193657)."

(7) "How to Set and Customize Cookies Settings in Internet Explorer (Q196955)."

(Cool "Unable to Export Favorites or Cookies (Q221045)."

(9) "Options Unavailable in the Import/Export Wizard (Q221067)."

(10) "Description of Persistent and Per-Session Cookies in Internet Explorer (Q223799)."

(11) "Per-Session Cookies Are Not Cleared Until You Close Browser (Q224304)."

(12) "Content Advisor Causes Server Cookies Redirection to Fail When Server Does Not Have Content Rating (Q226996)."

(13) "Description of Cookies (Q260971)."

(14) "Internet Explorer No Longer Prompts To Accept Cookies (Q274369)."

(15) "How to Delete Cookie Files (Q278835)."

(16) "The Default Privacy Settings for Internet Explorer 6 (Q293222)."

(17) "The How and When of Cookies: Life Span and Implementation", and may be "javascript:OpenOnDemand(" instead but it requires a download.

b. Internet Explorer version 6:

(1) "How to Manage Cookies (Q283185)."

(2) "The Default Privacy Settings (Q293222)."

(3) "Cookies Settings Are Not Retained After You Upgrade (Q296363)."

(4) "Cookies Are Unexpectedly Blocked or Saved on Your Computer (Q298621)."

(5) "Privacy Icon Is Displayed in the Status Bar Even Though Privacy Settings Allow Cookies (Q298636)."

(6) "How to Restore Default Settings After Importing Custom Privacy Preferences (Q301689)."

(7) "Unable to Refresh Web Page That Uses Cookies if Set to Prompt for Cookies (Q306027)."

2. A partially edited excerpt written by "Fred Langa", which you may find interesting:

Cookie hysteria, the bad rap they got several years ago when millions of people panicked because cookies were "tracking" them from site to site and "sending the collected information to spammers." A lot of companies made a lot of money--and still do--selling anticookie software to prevent this evil, covert tracking.

I adds a personal note here: Do you know of anyone who really got caught up in the Y2K (year 2000) process and that all banks failed, all air planes fell out of the sky, etc. -- how I'd like to have all that money earned from hype.

Of course, the great cookie scare turned out to be almost entirely groundless. Cookies are just static text files (you can open any cookie with NotePad or your favorite text editor), and they normally record prosaic information such as "this person already saw ad number X from us today, don't show him the same one again." Or: "Here's a returning visitor who's previously logged in. Instead of asking for her password again, use the password stored in this private cookie."

Most cookies are not only benign; they're helpful. But because they normally use space-saving codes (example: a "1" might mean "returning visitor who's previously registered"), they seem mysterious, and thus cause some people to freak out.

3. Notes:

a. When it is assumed a Cookies folder has been corrupted, and there are cookie which may store a password for a particular Web site which you would like saved, first copy the Cookies folder content to a newly created folder first. To do so, type the following commands at the command prompt, pressing Enter after each command:

md (folder by giving it a name)
copy c:\windows\cookies\*.* c:\windows\(this new folder name)


where (folder...) in the first line is the folder to which you want to copy contents to.

At the command prompt, type the following commands, pressing Enter after each command, and pressing Y if you are prompted to confirm folder deletion:

cd\windows
deltree cookies
exit


Note: After the Cookies folder has been deleted, Windows must be restarted in order for the default Cookies folder to be recreated. Progress to the folder where the cookie files were archived, highlight them -- not the folder, and move to the default Cookies folder. Shutdown and restart the computer once more for these changes to take affect. Delete the old archive folder at your convenience.

4. Download the 12-Wash utility from Tucows ("Tucows" I guess that means five (5) as there are five pictures of a cow) that is listed in the "Index" near the bottom of the page -- a free!1.5MB file.

5. When run, you'll see the tab IE, IE, AOL (click to see a screen shot here) but when clicked in the utility, it give you the option to delete "cookies" among other things along with an "Except" button that allows you to select those to keep and for which they are subsequently written to the system's registry and do not change unless you do so.

6. Either create a batch file to start on boot with the two lines below and placed in the Startup folder or place the first line only in the Autoexec.bat file to purge cookies (the drive and path are determined by you):

@<drive> \ <path> \12wash.exe /silent /washall
@exit

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Re: Cookies
Jul 8, 2004 10:00AM PDT

For intents and purposes, cookies really aren't harmful. Many websites use them and even if you delete them they get regenerated once you revisited or visit a new website and in some cases you have to generate a cookie in order to proceed further into a website if you have cookie protection up to a high-level. However, a cookie is your footprint showing where you've been on the www, so many ad generators may shuttle related website topics to your email, etc.. Thus, it makes good sense to manage them. Plus, with the use of this free and popular pgm. it will help you further in determine if websites are being more than friendly and lauching "malware" at you.
Ad-Aware, help control or manage such, get it, its worth the install at Adaware:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com

good luck -----Willy Happy