What is a cookie?
Usually thought as some kind of biscuit, however in computer language it means something completely different. A text information message that is stored on your computer when you visit a web page. When you return to the page the cookie is used to recognize you. It records information such as your name, site login password, preferences, shopping cart info, and more..
A cookie does not collect information about you or take any files from your computer. It is solely used to enable you to have a faster and more pleasant experience on the internet. The default browser setting is for cookies to be accepted, however sometime you may have to enable them yourself.
Why do we need cookies?
We don’t actually need cookies at all. There is no need to remember or record the internet surfing habits of everyone on the internet, however there can be some advantages.
- Faster Internet Browsing – Pages load quicker because they know who you are and what you like.
- Websites can remember you – Most sites will remember you when you load it into Internet Explorer. It’s easy when you don’t have to put your password in every time you visit a site.
- Personalize websites – Some sites let you change what you see. For example you can see news that only applies to your local area. Without cookies, this would not be possible.
- Optimized websites – Webmasters can see which of their pages is popular and which are not worth keeping on the web.
How to view your cookies?
This applies to Internet Explorer 4,5,6 and 7
- When you have Internet Explorer open go to the tools menu at the top.
- Choose Internet Options.
- Go to the General Tab.
- Under the heading, browsing history, press the Settings button.
- Then press View files button.
