Cookie Crumblers

As you probably know, "cookies" are the little pieces of software Web sites install on your system to identify you (and your interests) when you return. They're largely harmless, but some people don't like them on principle, and to others they raise privacy questions. If you have questions about the cookies in your computer, there are numerous freeware and shareware utilities that can help you identify, track, and eliminate cookies as easily as you can empty a box of Girl Scout Thin Mints. Try searching "cookies" at your favorite download site -- you'll find lots of options, like programs that show you what cookies you have, where they're from, etc, and others that will crunch 'em up faster than the Cookie Monster.

Try searching 'cookies' at ZDNet's Downloads page! http://www.zdnet.com/downloads/

- Dennis Ryan

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001

Answers

I routinely delete cookies every time I sign off the Internet. Before actually shutting down the computer I just go to the Internet icon in my control panel and clear all the temp files and history. Then I go to Windows Explorer and select the Windows folder, then the temporary internet files, and delete the cookies I don't want. I do keep some cookies that allow me to access certain sites more quickly, such as the ezboard cookie. I leave that one and a couple others.

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001

Gordon, do you have to "hand pick" the cookies to delete? I have trouble finding the cookies.

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001

Sar,

Yes, you have to hand pick the cookies because there are a few you want to leave there since they actually help you when you access some favorite site. I mentioned the ezboard cookie, but there will be others. Some financial sites need the cookie there in order to remember personal preferences you have selected to customize their site.

I am using windows 98, but the same thing applies to Win 95. First you should go to the control panel and click on the Internet icon. I am using Microsoft's IE in this case. You will then get a box in which you can delete all common temp files and history, but this step will not delete the cookies yet. You need to do this in order to clear your final destination of all the trash. Note, you do not need to be signed on to the Internet at this point, it's all available from the Windows desktop.

Next step is to go to the Explorer page where you can scroll down and click on Windows. Then scroll down and click on the file Temporary Internet Files. That will show you all the cookies you have received. You must have previously removed the other temp files though or the page will be full of stuff.

To look at a cookie, just click on it, hit the delete key, and you will get a verification box that shows what the cookie is. At that point you either finish and delete it or leave it alone. All this only takes a minute or two but if you do it every day you won't accumulate the tons of cookies that are there to track your useage.

-- Anonymous, April 27, 2001