Question
Anonymous writes:
"What is a cookie?"

Answer
03/21/99

A cookie is a text file that contains exchanged information between your Web browser and the Web server from which you retrieve information.

When you visit a web site your browser is basically requesting a web server to give you that web site's information, when that happens a "cookie" is created or "stored" in your hard drive and part of that cookie is also stored in the web server from which you are requesting the information. This cookie contains information about "you" ("you" means the computer you are using to access a web site) so that next time you visit the same web site it (the web server that hosts the web site) will recognize you.

Cookies can be used to do many other things. Though there are misconceptions about cookies, it's important to note that such cookies will not be able to store your personal information, access your hard drive or transmit computer viruses.

If you want to be notified that a cookie is being stored in you hard drive or if you want to stop cookies before they are stored in your hard drive do the following.

* Similar steps may be used in previous or future versions of Internet Explorer and Navigator.

Internet Explorer 4.0

1. Click View on the toolbar and select Internet Options.

2. Click on Advanced and then scroll down until you see Cookies

3. Select the appropriate option.

Navigator 4.0

1. Click Edit on the toolbar and select Preferences.

2. Click on Advanced and then select appropriate option.

Note that by turning off or deselecting the cookie option you will not be able to receive cookies, this in turn may compromise your web surfing experience.