Does This Web Site Install Cookies On Your Computer?

[10ClarionSt]

Virtually every site now says that by using it, you agree to cookies being installed on your computer. Why can they do this when they know that such things can cause your computer to operate slowly, which is why we are always being told to delete these things via Internet Options. As soon as I enter a web site, I always delete cookies etc. But does this mean they are deleted whilst on the web site e.g. visit the web site, delete, then carry on? Or will they just be installed again? I think it's the equivalent of junk mail and phone calls.

[jno]

crumble over paella

[AB Editor]

"What are cookies?"
Like bits of code downloaded to your computer as part of the website. They're anonymous, contain no private information, but allow us to know that, for example (at least with the Google tracking cookies) "50,000 users entered on the keyword GK crossword 2345"

"and do I have to delete them?"
Not really.

"what does it do if I don't?"
The site will function as expected. If you deleted all AB cookies for example you'd be logged out, and have to log in again to post a question.

[woofgang]

nothing Neti. They aren't harmful, they just do small useful things like save you having to log in every time you come on to places like AB. If you visit dodgy websites and click on any old thing there is a risk that you might pick up a cookie that says that you like looking at eg naked pictures of sqad and then you might want to delete the cookies on your computer. Odd times you might need to delete your cookies to get rid of an error or other minor nuisance...99% of the time you won't even know they are there.

[ChuckFickens]

IT won't crash, the main thing you'll notice is you'll have to enter your login details for every site you visit instead of being automatically logged in.

[AB Editor]

"Modifying the _utmv.answerbank.co.uk cookie to include the mod user tpye doesn't enable a "normal" user to become a mod either...

Errrr, not that I've tried. :)"

I would expect nothing less to be honest.

[Sharingan]

"I think it's the equivalent of junk mail and phone calls"

This is because you don't know what you're talking about :)

I'm still laughing about that.

[AB Editor]

That's more reassuring than my version Woofgang.

[woofgang]

sorry I forgot

"Other naked Ab users are available"

[bibblebub]

If you're using Firefox then I can't recommend https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/self-destructing-cookies/?src=search highly enough.

It uses a whitelist of sites - this is already part of FF and can be accessed via the options for either FF or the add-on itself - and you set that table to contain those sites for which you are happy to retain cookies.

Whilst you are using FF, the add-on checks all cookies and if they don't correspond with either those sites that you have put in the whitelist or those for tabs that are currently open then it deletes them. So any tracking cookies are automatically deleted, along with those for sites that you might only visit occasionally or just once.

[AB Editor]

"Other naked Ab users are available"

I now feel less assured.

Bibble has a good option there - as long as you understand you want some cookies, and it's not a tool to just keep you paranoia up!

Sharingan - in retrospect it was probably a bit too cheeky.

[woofgang]

;-) Ed

[ChuckFickens]

I assume anyone that is paranoid about cookies also never uses any store loyalty cards, credit cards, debit cards or bank accounts, because they all have far more information stored about your personal habits than any cookies ever will, and all of them know exactly who you are too, rather than referring to you as a random string of letters and numbers that could never be linked to you personally.

[netibiza]

Oh Lord, I have been looking at naked pictures of sqad, only to make me appreciate my OH!!!

[jno]

at least Mr Neti doesn't walk through the house swinging a proctoscope (I hope)

[Old_Geezer]

It's still spying no matter what you call it.

[netibiza]

Oh no jno, the only swinging thing in our house is the chandelier!

[ChuckFickens]

"I suspect you only put cookies on your web site because someone pays you to do it for them. That sounds more plausible to me than all the cobblers about hob nobs."

No, they get paid for the adverts on the site, some cookies are a side effect of having the adverts.

http://www.allaboutcookies.org/ad-serving/

[boxtops]

Ed, it's interesting to me that the "exposure to the ads" seems to be the important thing to the advertisers - I can see 5 adverts on the page as I type, but I couldn't tell you what any of them are for. I don't ever click on them. If I want a sofa, I'd google.

[woofgang]

I don't know who the ads think they are tracking, but it ain't me, I am being offered a railcard for 18 to 25 yo's I mean.....even if I bought two it wouldn't cover my age lol.