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I would like to hear opinions on whether Cookies are as bad as some people think? I was using Adware 2008,which never seemed to find spyware but would want to delete all my cookies. So i got tired of having to type my info in all the time at favorite sites like this one. So i started using Windows Defender instead. So again,why are cookies bad?
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Are Cookies a Good Thing or a Bad Thing
MultiQuote
#2
mphenterprises 
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Posted 18 August 2008 - 01:57 PM
Hi Shaikura and welcome to the PCWorld Communities. :D
I have changed your Discussion title to give a clearer indication of your question. For future reference, please be as descriptive as possible in both the heading of your Discussion as well as the post itself. Also, I have moved your Discussion from the Windows Community to the Privacy & Security Community.
I have changed your Discussion title to give a clearer indication of your question. For future reference, please be as descriptive as possible in both the heading of your Discussion as well as the post itself. Also, I have moved your Discussion from the Windows Community to the Privacy & Security Community.
#3
Adama
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Posted 18 August 2008 - 02:33 PM
Hi Shaikura,
Some cookies are good to have, as you need them to be able to go to some of the websites you like to visit.
Others, not so much, because they track your surfing habits, and provide information about you to other people.
I have not used Adware 2008. But, I have been using Webroot SpySweeper, and I really like it because it helps me to feel safe when I surf the web. It all depends on what you like to use, and if you like a for-pay application vs a free application.
But with SpySweeper, I don't think that you can get to pick and choose which cookies to keep and which to delete.
Message was edited by: Adama
Some cookies are good to have, as you need them to be able to go to some of the websites you like to visit.
Others, not so much, because they track your surfing habits, and provide information about you to other people.
I have not used Adware 2008. But, I have been using Webroot SpySweeper, and I really like it because it helps me to feel safe when I surf the web. It all depends on what you like to use, and if you like a for-pay application vs a free application.
But with SpySweeper, I don't think that you can get to pick and choose which cookies to keep and which to delete.
Message was edited by: Adama
#4
lilxkid24
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Posted 18 August 2008 - 03:21 PM
Cookies are on everysite you visit. There safe there not bad. Theres no way you can avoid cookies. Cookies are basically pieces of data chosen by the Web server and sent to the browser so you can access it.
#5
SpiritWind
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Posted 18 August 2008 - 03:38 PM
:D Hi :
As Adama implied, there are 2 Main" types" of Cookies . The "Adware/Tracking" type is
what the Best antiSPYWARE/antiTROJAN programs will "Detect" and usually "Delete"
at the User's Request . IF your Operating System is Win XP or earlier, you can use FREE
programs like CookieWall and Traceless to specify Cookies you want retained on your
computer .
As Adama implied, there are 2 Main" types" of Cookies . The "Adware/Tracking" type is
what the Best antiSPYWARE/antiTROJAN programs will "Detect" and usually "Delete"
at the User's Request . IF your Operating System is Win XP or earlier, you can use FREE
programs like CookieWall and Traceless to specify Cookies you want retained on your
computer .
#6
BAMT
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Posted 18 August 2008 - 06:49 PM
lilxkid24 said:
...Theres no way you can avoid cookies.
Not true. If you run Konqueror, it asks you about every cookie until you choose to "eat" them all or reject them all. Also, many other browsers have a setting like this in a "Preferences" or "Options" window.
#8
BAMT
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Posted 19 August 2008 - 02:12 PM
Konqueror is the K Desktop Environment (KDE) below version 4's equivalent of explorer.exe. KDE is a popular X.Org window manager/environment (as well as Gnome) used in many major Linux distributions, such as my favorite, OpenSuSE 10.3. I find it better than Explorer due to very few, if any, crashes, and nicer icons.
Image:
http://pdp.protopak....h/konqueror.jpg
Image:
http://pdp.protopak....h/konqueror.jpg
#9
moorrbrt1
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Posted 21 August 2008 - 11:24 AM
I had what I considered a bad experience with Adaware 2007 so I didn't try 2008. I use Spyware Doctor and consider it worth the money. If you are using Firefox click tools/options/privacy and you will be given several options concerning cookies. You can block the ones you consider bad and allow the ones you consider good. You can also look up the various cookies on the Internet using Yahoo or Google or whichever engine you prefer. Internet Explorer also has some settings that will help. use the same "tools/options/privacy and then make your choice. Some cookies aren't necesary and can slow down how fast sites load in your browser, especially the free emails. I experimented blocking different cookies using Firefox to see which ones were necessary and which ones I could do without to make my "hotmail" and "gmail" load faster. Firefox is easier because it gives more options and is easier to start over if you block the ones you need, like the cookies that allow you to log on.
#10
smax013
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Posted 21 August 2008 - 12:11 PM
Cookies are a good things! In particular, I like chocolate chip cookie, especially when they are still just a little warm from coming out of the oven. I also like sugar cookies...
Oh, wait, you mean the OTHER type of cookies! :^0
Computer cookies can be good and they can be bad. It all depends on how the site uses them. Many "commerce" sites might use a cookie to keep track of what you have put in your "cart" and such. For sites that are "configurable", they might use a cookie to "remember" your settings for the site. Both those uses can be good. OTOH, some sites use cookies to track your movements and keep track of things you "like" and "don't like". The tracking is usually not considered a good thing...the keeping track of things you like vs don't like can be good or bad depending on how much you value your privacy...if you like your browsing experience to be more "taylored" to you, then it can be good.
In the end, a computer cookie is just a neutral tool. Whether it is good or bad is more in how the person using the tool chooses to use that tool...just like a knife...if you use it to cut bread or such, it is "good"...if you use it to stab someone, generally not so good.
Oh, wait, you mean the OTHER type of cookies! :^0
Computer cookies can be good and they can be bad. It all depends on how the site uses them. Many "commerce" sites might use a cookie to keep track of what you have put in your "cart" and such. For sites that are "configurable", they might use a cookie to "remember" your settings for the site. Both those uses can be good. OTOH, some sites use cookies to track your movements and keep track of things you "like" and "don't like". The tracking is usually not considered a good thing...the keeping track of things you like vs don't like can be good or bad depending on how much you value your privacy...if you like your browsing experience to be more "taylored" to you, then it can be good.
In the end, a computer cookie is just a neutral tool. Whether it is good or bad is more in how the person using the tool chooses to use that tool...just like a knife...if you use it to cut bread or such, it is "good"...if you use it to stab someone, generally not so good.
#13
Pikachu
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Posted 19 September 2008 - 03:54 AM
[~79917], you write:
but on occoasion there is the harmful cookie, which you want to get a rid of
I have understood that. But please elaborate! What I want to know is which is harmful and which isn't. ?:|
but on occoasion there is the harmful cookie, which you want to get a rid of
I have understood that. But please elaborate! What I want to know is which is harmful and which isn't. ?:|
#14
Tech4me
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Posted 19 September 2008 - 05:28 AM
Hi Pika. some of member already gave some ideas about this, If you need more ....PLease read this...then decide it for yoursefl "which one is bad...or good)
HTTP cookies, or more commonly referred to as web cookies, tracking cookies or just cookies, are parcels of text sent by as server to a Web client (usually a browser) and then sent back unchanged by the client each time it accesses that server. HTTP cookies are used for authenticating, session tracking (state maintenance), and maintaining specific information about users, such as site preferences or the contents of their electronic shopping carts. The term "cookie" is derived from "magic cookie," a well-known concept in UNIX computing which inspired both the idea and the name of HTTP cookies.
Because they can be used for tracking browsing behavior, cookies have been of concern for Internet privacy. As a result, they have been subject to legislation in various countries such as the United States, as well as the European Union. Cookies have also been criticized because the identification of users they provide is not always accurate and because they could potentially be a target of network attackers. Some alternatives to cookies exist, but each has its own uses, advantages, and drawbacks.
Cookies are also subject to a number of misconceptions, mostly based on the erroneous notion that they are computer programs. In fact, cookies are simple pieces of data unable to perform any operation by themselves. In particular, they are neither spyware nor viruses, although cookies from certain sites are described as spyware by many anti-spyware products because they allow users to be tracked when they visit various sites.
Most modern browsers allow users to decide whether to accept cookies, but rejection makes some websites unusable. For example, shopping carts implemented using cookies do not work if cookies are rejected.
HTTP cookies, or more commonly referred to as web cookies, tracking cookies or just cookies, are parcels of text sent by as server to a Web client (usually a browser) and then sent back unchanged by the client each time it accesses that server. HTTP cookies are used for authenticating, session tracking (state maintenance), and maintaining specific information about users, such as site preferences or the contents of their electronic shopping carts. The term "cookie" is derived from "magic cookie," a well-known concept in UNIX computing which inspired both the idea and the name of HTTP cookies.
Because they can be used for tracking browsing behavior, cookies have been of concern for Internet privacy. As a result, they have been subject to legislation in various countries such as the United States, as well as the European Union. Cookies have also been criticized because the identification of users they provide is not always accurate and because they could potentially be a target of network attackers. Some alternatives to cookies exist, but each has its own uses, advantages, and drawbacks.
Cookies are also subject to a number of misconceptions, mostly based on the erroneous notion that they are computer programs. In fact, cookies are simple pieces of data unable to perform any operation by themselves. In particular, they are neither spyware nor viruses, although cookies from certain sites are described as spyware by many anti-spyware products because they allow users to be tracked when they visit various sites.
Most modern browsers allow users to decide whether to accept cookies, but rejection makes some websites unusable. For example, shopping carts implemented using cookies do not work if cookies are rejected.
#15
smax013
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Posted 19 September 2008 - 05:34 AM
Tech4me said:
Hi Pika. some of member already gave some ideas about this, If you need more ....PLease read this...then decide it for yoursefl "which one is bad...or good)
HTTP cookies, or more commonly referred to as web cookies, tracking cookies or just cookies, are parcels of text sent by as server to a Web client (usually a browser) and then sent back unchanged by the client each time it accesses that server. HTTP cookies are used for authenticating, session tracking (state maintenance), and maintaining specific information about users, such as site preferences or the contents of their electronic shopping carts. The term "cookie" is derived from "magic cookie," a well-known concept in UNIX computing which inspired both the idea and the name of HTTP cookies.
Because they can be used for tracking browsing behavior, cookies have been of concern for Internet privacy. As a result, they have been subject to legislation in various countries such as the United States, as well as the European Union. Cookies have also been criticized because the identification of users they provide is not always accurate and because they could potentially be a target of network attackers. Some alternatives to cookies exist, but each has its own uses, advantages, and drawbacks.
Cookies are also subject to a number of misconceptions, mostly based on the erroneous notion that they are computer programs. In fact, cookies are simple pieces of data unable to perform any operation by themselves. In particular, they are neither spyware nor viruses, although cookies from certain sites are described as spyware by many anti-spyware products because they allow users to be tracked when they visit various sites.
Most modern browsers allow users to decide whether to accept cookies, but rejection makes some websites unusable. For example, shopping carts implemented using cookies do not work if cookies are rejected.
HTTP cookies, or more commonly referred to as web cookies, tracking cookies or just cookies, are parcels of text sent by as server to a Web client (usually a browser) and then sent back unchanged by the client each time it accesses that server. HTTP cookies are used for authenticating, session tracking (state maintenance), and maintaining specific information about users, such as site preferences or the contents of their electronic shopping carts. The term "cookie" is derived from "magic cookie," a well-known concept in UNIX computing which inspired both the idea and the name of HTTP cookies.
Because they can be used for tracking browsing behavior, cookies have been of concern for Internet privacy. As a result, they have been subject to legislation in various countries such as the United States, as well as the European Union. Cookies have also been criticized because the identification of users they provide is not always accurate and because they could potentially be a target of network attackers. Some alternatives to cookies exist, but each has its own uses, advantages, and drawbacks.
Cookies are also subject to a number of misconceptions, mostly based on the erroneous notion that they are computer programs. In fact, cookies are simple pieces of data unable to perform any operation by themselves. In particular, they are neither spyware nor viruses, although cookies from certain sites are described as spyware by many anti-spyware products because they allow users to be tracked when they visit various sites.
Most modern browsers allow users to decide whether to accept cookies, but rejection makes some websites unusable. For example, shopping carts implemented using cookies do not work if cookies are rejected.
And to further complicate things, a particular cookie can be good or bad depending on how long it is retained...even though the content of the cookie is the same. For example, a cookie used for preferences could be good for a period of time as it will allow a site to "remember" what it is that you like...i.e. remember settings and preference that you setup for your visits to the site. But, if that cookie sticks around for a long time and you decide that site is no longer your "cup of tea", then someone could use that lasting cookie that you are no longer using to gain some "insight" into you...i.e. violate your privacy. Thus, there can be times where that cookie is "good" for you, but also times where it is "bad".
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