I was going through my temp internet files and found some cookies. Is my office data on the computer at risk? What are cookies all together? - Thanks for reading / helping - dpf18

I saw a comprehensive answer on www.puzzlenyc.org. It's a long answer, but I'll post an excerpt to the main points, below, and you can check the web site for more info. Cookies are, essentially, small text files that a web site places on your computer. They are used for numerous reasons, but, primarily, a web site will use the cookie to identify who you are and what your site preferences are. For example, on an number of web sites, such as yahoo mail, there is a box that says, "Remember my user name," or something like that. The way yahoo knows who you are is by finding the cookie that it saved on your computer. This is why you may notice a warning that says, "Don't check this box if you are sharing your computer." That warning makes sense, because if someone else uses your computer, as soon as they go to the yahoo mail box, they will be seeing your email! Technically, cookies are safe in the sense that a cookie does not "snoop around" your computer automatically gathering information and sending items back to the web site. In other words, a cookie is a text file with specific information designed for only a specific site.

"cookies" is wot the Brits call biscuits... The N.Am. word is a corruption of the Dutch "koekje"; although I think in the days of New Amsterdam the spellynge was a little different? It was/is their name for a biscuit or similar... Otherwise it's a relatively non-nasty little package of info that is deposited into your PC when you access a web-site. It can be used to track your movements; also to ensure that any data requested by and sent to you... does actually go to you... Occasionally it is alleged that there are some that are less benevolent; but can't comment/advise further in that regard. These days most sites "insist" you accept them; otherwise you have no access to their web-site...

There is this new thing called web searching...google comes to mind. Wonder what would come up if you plugged "cookies" into it. Imagine the power if you knew how to internet search

I'm starting to use wikipedia a lot. Search for cookie there, and it shows a chocolate chip cookie. :) Or, you can view this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTTP_c... Life's more painless for the brainless.

wanderer....no need for your immaturity and elitism comment...the person asked a legitimately frank query...one which you also knew nothing about when you started playing around with computers....so show a little compassion at least, sites like this dont need your sarcastic comments...we're all on here to help each other, no matter what level of pc experience we have!!!! anyways, to answer you question simply, a cookie is a file that is stored on your computer that will relate to a certain website you have visited which requires personal details from you, eg: a user name. they arent really necessary if you want to delete them, it just means the next time you want to log into hotmail or whatever, you need to type in your name and password again. GeForce FX 5700Le 2Gb DDR 3400 Athlon 64 3200 Newcastle S754 Chaintech SK8T800 QUANTUM FIREBALLlct15 10 10 GB SAMSUNG SP0802N 80 GB Maxtor 6E030L0 30 GB Hitachi HDT725032VLAT80 320

Dang, now I'm hungry!!! Some banks use cookies to know that the computer that's trying to access your account is yours. I need to call and get a different password for one of my accounts everymonth since I always delete my cookies. I browse the web alot and cookies add up. Also, sometimes if you visit "Adult" websites, (porn or not) they deposit tracking cookies, which can carry spyware with them. Old stuff that still works, somewhat....