Internet Security ABC

 

internet securityChannel the Cookie Monster in You - Computer Cookies Can Be Bad For Your Computer's Health

What in the world is an Internet cookie? This is a common question. A cookie when on the net means a piece of information that is sent by a web server to your browser, with your browser expected to save and later send back that piece of information, basically information on you and your computer. Cookies may contain information such as your login or registration information, your user preferences, shopping cart information, etc. Cookies are usually set to expire after a set time, and are saved in memory until your browser is shut down. They may be saved to the hard drive if the expiration time has not yet been reached. Many people dislike the idea of cookies gathering information on them and sending it on to web sites without their permission. While the idea is unappealing, cookies
really are not dangerous, nor are they going to give anyone any information other than that which you have already given them.

The most common type of cookie out there is simply one that tells a web developer that you have visited his page, so that he can count the number of unique visitors he receives. He won't know that it was you specifically, just information that you or someone on your computer came to the site. He will also know any information you gave the site while there. However, the web developer cannot read information that is on your hard drive. Your personal information is safe as long as you don't give it away. The information the cookie saves is info that you've given when registering, and by saving it as a cookie it makes it easier for you to log in the next time. Much like speed dial on a cell phone.

Information submitted by a user includes things submitted by the browser. This can include the name and version of the browser and the IP address that it is coming from. If a person is really concerned about cookies though, then installing a good firewall is one good method to prevent them from being placed on your computer. Another possibility is to block your IP address, or use an anonymous server. There are many good programs available to handle those chores for you, ranging from the free to the reasonably priced.

What is the usefulness of internet cookies? Search engines and many portals will use cookies to provide customized web pages. My Yahoo is a good example. Also many web sites use cookies to allow their users to automatically log in. They store just a few bits of information and that is enough to save the user time and trial. Also many web sites use cookies to track visitors. By assigning a cookie to a visitor, the visitor will be counted only once, so accurate visitor statistics are available.

For someone really worried about cookies, the answer is also quite simple. Delete them. When you are done with a web site, delete the cookies, and they are gone, your privacy is secured and the black helicopters go away. The new world order no longer has your cookie information.

Remember that all browsers support cookies, and a great many web sites, if not most of them use cookies. Cookies are actually valuable in that they save you time while on a web site and allow the web site to serve you better. There have been a great many myths circulating across the Internet about cookies, and many people have given in to general cookie paranoia. If that is the case with you, the best thing you can do is simply don't worry about it. Cookies won't hurt you. If that isn't enough, then all browsers will allow you to delete cookies when you log onto a computer and the Internet. Firewalls will stop cookies from coming in, and if you really wish to lead a cookie free existence, it can be done. But if you are not paranoid, then forget about it. Much of the anti cookie propaganda out there comes from companies that sell anti cookie software that you really don't need. Cookies are fine. They won't bother you or hurt you, and that is just the way the cookie crumbles.

Inoculate Yourself against Computer Viruses

Squash those Worms Four Ways to Keep your PC Critter Free

Malware is bad for your Computer

The Basics of Internet Website Encryption

Three Ways to make sure your Online Credit Card Transaction is Safe

 

Internet Security
Are You an Enabler? What Enabling Cookies
Can the Spam-How to Filter Out All the Unnecessary Junk
Channel the Cookie Monster in You - Computer Cookies Can Be Bad For Your Computer's Health
Chat Room Challenge - Five Tips to Ensure Your Anonymity
Computer Band-aid - How to Know if You Need to Download that Security Patch
Computer Deep Freeze - Ten Tips to Keep your PC Up and Running
Computer Junkyard - Does Spam Filtering Really Help?
Dial-Up vs. Broadband - Which is the Safer Alternative?
Doesn't Ad up - Three Things that Adware does to your Computer
Don't Click No! How to Safely Close those Pop-up Windows
Don't Get Hacked Off-How to Stop Computer Interlopers in their Tracks
Exercise Parental Control - Five Tips to Keep Kids Safe on the Internet
Exterminate those Bugs on your PC
Getting Down With Downloads - How to Protect Your Computer
Hijacked at Home - Five Steps to Protect Your Home PC
Identity Theft via Internet Security Flaws
Inoculate Yourself against Computer Viruses
Internet Anonymizers - Why and When You Should Use Them
Key Logging Capers Part Two - Three Reasons why it is a Problem
Key Logging Capers - Three Reasons Why You Need It
Let's Go Phishing! - Five Ways to Avoid Being Hooked by This Scam
Maintaining Your Privacy on the Internet - Five Things you can do
Malicious Instant Messages-Three Ways Instant Messaging Compromises Internet Security
Malware is bad for your Computer
Picking Blackberries - Why Mobile Technology Needs More Security
Pound Those Pop-Ups
Six Tips for Staying Healthy in a Computer Virus World
Something Doesn't Register - Cleaning your Computer's Registry for Safety
Spies Everywhere - What is Spyware and Why is it so Bad?
Squash those Worms - Four Ways to Keep your PC Critter-Free
That Wasn't Scripted! Why Scripted Viruses are Bad News
The Basics of Internet Website Encryption
The Cookie Monster - How Do Cookies Influence Internet Security?
The Digital Certificate - What's It Mean and Why is It Important?
Three Benefits to Using an Internet Remailer
Three Reasons to Wipe Your Computer's Internet History Files Clean
Three Ways that an Internet Firewall Can Be Compromised
Three Ways to Identify a Virus Hoax
Three Ways to make sure your Online Credit Card Transaction is Safe
Toolbar Traps - What You Should Know BEFORE Downloading that "Helpful" Toolbar
Top Five Reasons to Install a Firewall
Top Five Spyware Threats to Internet Security
Top Five Vulnerable Areas in Internet Security
Top Five Worst Viruses and How to Protect Your Computer against Them
Top Four Ways to Ensure a Secure Password
Top Ten Tools to Boost your Internet Security
What IP Addresses Mean in the Scheme of Internet Security
When Formatting the Hard Drive is Your Only Recourse
Internet Privacy
Remote Access Trojans Hijacking your Computer
Precautions You Should Take When Installing WiFi in your Home
Sold! How to Maintain your Privacy and Still Indulge in Online Auctions
Social Networking Be Careful of What You Post!
Sneaky Ways to Get Around those Internet Privacy Issues
Identity Theft
Electronic Mail Identity Theft
Facts on Identity Theft
Fighting Identity Theft
ID Theft

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