Cookie
A cookie is an HTTP header that consists of text-only data that gets saved on your computer. This data commonly contains the domain, path, lifetime, and value of a variable that you set. If the lifetime of this variable is longer than the time the user spends at your site, then this string is saved to file for future reference.
Cookies received over the Internet should be considered more useful than dangerous. Without cookies, users could not have customized settings or would have to verify their identity each time they visit a site. Because cookies can be used to track you while at the site, who sent you a cookie, and because they may contain private information, there is potential that they could be compromised, but it is very unlikely.
Users who may be concerned about web pages gathering information on their viewing habits or their personal settings may wish to disable cookies or increase the security on their browser so they are warned when cookies are being created; these settings are available through your Internet browser's settings or options.
- To view if your cookies are enabled or disabled and other system settings click here.
- Click here for a demonstration of a cookie as well as a source code of how a cookie can be created.
- Additional information about disabling / enabling or deleting cookies can be found on document CH000509.
- Information about whether cookies are spyware or not can be found on document CH001067.
Also see: Browser
