Cookies
A cookie is a small text file that is loaded onto your computer during a website visit and records your preferences at that particular website. The cookie lets your computer know about your shopping preferences during the next return visit. For example, if you are interested in travel packages to Fiji and Hawaii, a commercial travel website, when you return to that site, there will likely be Balinese and Thai vacations advertised prominently because the site will have read the cookie on your machine about your previous visit and customised the homepage for you. Information from cookies can also be used for market research. Third parties, often advertisers on sites visited, can also attach cookies to customise the ads displayed for you during your future visits to the website.
How can you manage cookies?
Your web browser will give you tools to manage cookies, from letting every cookie be installed to totally blocking them. Keep in mind, some websites will be inaccessible to you, or won't function well, if you block cookies totally.
In Internet Explorer, go to Tools and click Internet Options. Click the Privacy tab, and then set the level where you want it. Medium to medium high is recommended.
You can also list websites that you would like to be exempt from restriction, thereby opting in to receiving cookies from specified sites. For example if you are an Amazon fan and would like the convenience of having the topics you usually search for displayed for you when you visit the site, then alter your cookies settings (above) to exempt Amazon from restriction.
Click here to return to the NetSafe Computer Security home page.
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