What are cookies?

A website can tell a browser to set a cookie, then according to the browser type, they are stored on your hard drive, for example Netscape saves all cookies in a cookies.txt file, Internet Explorer saves all cookies as small text files in one folder, c:\windows\cookies\ .  Cookies can store any limited information a website wishes.  Cookies are set a expiry date, the date they will be deleted, when a website deletes a cookie, it sets an expiry date in the past.

Common uses for Cookies

Cookies are often used for storing passwords so you don't have to type them in every time you visit a page, they also store information you have used before.  Have you ever used a site like "My Yahoo!" or "My...", those that let you customise the content?  You may have noticed if you clear your cookies, all your custom settings reset, this is because this custom information is stored in cookies.

Advertising Cookies

Cookies may also be set by advertisements on a page!  Just before the ad image is loaded, it sets a cookie with information about your site visit, and whatever else the company wishes to note about you.  Companies may use this information to help target specific groups, it also lets them trace your visits around the web by viewing cookie data.

How to see when advertisers are using Cookies?

In Internet Explorer, A little icon will appear in the bottom right, with a red exclamation mark.  If you click this, it will tell you about 3rd party cookies, and who it is.

Disabling Cookies

In Internet Explorer 6, tools>>internet options>>privacy.  Sliding the bar will show you how each privacy settings deals with cookies.  When you are satisfied, select apply then hit ok.
In Internet Explorer 4 or 5, tools>>internet options>>security.  Select  Internet, click custom level... . Scroll down to Cookies, and select Disable.
Remember Some sites such as Yahoo! Chat require cookies, selecting "Prompt" may be more appropriate.
In Netscape, edit>>preferences, select advanced.  Check "Disable Cookies" and press OK.

Deleting Cookies

Click Here

Who can view the Cookies?

When a cookie is set, data is set to tell the browser which domains may view the cookie, and when you visit a site which may view the cookie, it is sent this data by the browser, there will be some scripts on the server to get the information from this cookie.

Do HelpBytes use Cookies?

Yes.  Our Cookie Policy is set out here.