What Makes A Cookie A Spyware Cookie?
Internet Cookies -
The main use of cookies is to remember user preferences and customize the user’s browsing experience. When you visit a website, you may be asked to fill out a form providing information, such as name, email address, interests, etc… This information can be packaged as a cookie and stored on your machine by your web browser for later use. The next time you go to the same website, the server can ask the web browser to retrieve information from the cookie. The server can take the information gathered from the cookie to present a custom web browsing experience for you, save passwords and remember your preferences.
Helpful cookies generally store only pertinent information necessary to make your browsing experience better and they generally go inactive (expire) after a short time. Some helpful websites will ask for your consent before placing the cookie on your machine. For example, “Would you like us to remember your preferences?”
Spyware Cookies -
A spyware cookie is any cookie that crosses the line from helpful to intrusive. The primary use for spyware cookies is to gather user data, personal information and online habits. Websites using spyware cookies often have (formal or informal) agreements with each other to share the data they gather among their different sites. For example, when you surf to www.ilovespywarecookies.com if they are a spyware site; they may share the information gathered (without your knowledge) with a partner site, say www.ilovespywarecookiestoo.com. This data can be sold to other companies or marketing firms. It can be used to target pop-ups or other Internet advertising to specific demographic groups. When personal data is gathered, it can even be used to target spam campaigns.
Spyware cookies may also record all information you enter into an online form while surfing a spyware website. Most people are wise enough not to spill out personal data online, but over time spyware websites can use cookies to help them gather and compile all sorts of intrusive data about you—much like someone going through your garbage can on a regular basis.
Handling Cookies -
Since deleting all of your cookies can delete passwords and make it more difficult to access websites you’ve already visited and rob you of the benefits of good cookies, a more convenient method of cookie deletion is to utilize an antispyware program like StopSign Internet Security. StopSign only identifies and deletes spyware cookies on your computer and leaves the harmless cookies, which can make surfing more convenient, alone.
If you do not yet own an antispyware program that can identify and delete only spyware cookies, you may follow the below instructions to remove all of your cookies. Please be aware that this provides only a temporary solution and be sure you understand the risks before proceeding:
Deleting Cookies in Internet Explorer 6:
1. Open Internet Explorer 6.0.
2. Click on Tools.
3. In the Internet Options dialog box, on the General Tab, click Delete Cookies.
4. In the warning dialog box, click yes.
5. From the Internet Options dialog box, click OK
Deleting Cookies in Internet Explorer 7:
1. Open Internet Explorer 7.0.
2. Click on Tools.
3. Select Delete Browsing History.
4. Click on the Delete Cookies button.
5. You will receive a message asking you if you are sure you would like to delete all cookies, click YES.
6. Then click close to close Delete Browsing History box.
Deleting Cookies in Mozilla Firefox:
1. Open the Firefox browser.
2. Click on Tools.
3. Select Clear Private Data.
4. Put a check in the Cookies check-box.
5. Hit the Clear Private Data Now button.
Jason Dick is an Internet Security Specialist. Mr. Dick is a Tier-3 certified antivirus technician with extensive experience creating customized antivirus solutions for new and resistant spyware and virus infections. In addition, he has spent several years consulting with the average home computer user helping them get the most from their Internet Security Software. He is currently writing a number of articles regarding responsible computer use, internet security, spyware and virus trends and other pertinent technology news to share his knowledge and expertise.To read more of Jason’s articles visit: http://home.stopsign.com
Tags: browsing, cookie, data, personal information, spyware
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