What are cookies? And what’s their function?

If you ask the Cookie Monster, you’ll get an answer such as “Me love cookies.” But if you ask me, computer cookies are a mixed bag of tricks. Cookies are small text files that are saved on your computer after visiting websites. Their purpose is to enhance your experience. That is, they save information about your preferences so that the next time you visit the website, your browsing experience is customized.

For example, if you go to Amazon.com and order a book about breeding golden retrievers, the next time you visit, you might be taken to a page showing you books about dog obedience training or hunting with bird dogs.

Another good use for cookies is for customizing certain pages. For example, you can set up many web pages to display content specifically to meet your needs such as by entering your birth date in order to get a daily horoscope and your zip code to get the local weather report.

So, if cookies are so useful, what’s the problem? Just as with any technology, a good thing in the wrong hands isn’t so good after all. Data mining cookies can track your Web surfing habits and “customize” and experience you don’t want at all. For example, say you’re searching the Internet for information about golden retrievers. Next thing you know, you’re getting pop-up advertisements and e-mail messages hawking everything from dog bones to arthritis medicine for your aging golden retriever’s aching hips.

Another issue is that because cookies are stored on your computer, they leave a track of many of the websites you’ve been visiting. Simply by looking in the cookies folder, anyone can see the evidence of recently visited websites.

Here’s another problem - junk mail and spam. Cookies can track more than just the orders you’ve placed or the zip code you’ve entered. They can record the pages you’ve visited, the ads that you’ve clicked on, your IP address, and much more about your Web surfing habits. When you place an order or register with the Website, your name and address become linked to this information which becomes a goldmine to marketers. Not only might this company start sending you unwanted junk mail and spam, they might take it a step further and sell your information to others. Suddenly, your mailbox is packed to the brim with offers related to your initial order.

A large network called DoubleClick serves up banner advertisements all over the Internet and collects information about visitor’s habits. As more information is collected, a huge profile about your surfing habits across the Internet (not just a particular Website) is created - another goldmine to marketers.

Cookies have their good points and their bad points. While I like having a custom experience, I don’t like giving marketers any more information than possible. Because of this I limit the type of cookies I’ll accept. Yes, you can do that. Go to Internet Options (found in the Tools menu of Internet Explorer) and click on the Privacy tab. Now, slide the settings bar up and down the scale and read the different options. Choose the option that works best for you. 

Privacy Controls Deletes all references to Web Activity so that even sophisticated Forensic Recovery software cant unearth the truth!

Very Few Tools actually get rid of “ALL” the Evidence - Privacy Controls does.

Download and Try Privacy Controls

What would your Surfing History Reveal about you?

You may not have anything to hide but your Internet tracks will reveal what you’ve been doing online - do you really want others to see where you’ve been?

If you could see my Web browsing history, you’d jump to all sorts of conclusions about me. For example, among my recent searches are:

• Underground poker rooms
• Staph infections
• Adult dancing lessons

So, am I a tap-dancing, staph-infected, poker player looking for a high stakes game of cards?

Not at all but you might think by looking at my Web browsing history. Do you know what else you would find by looking at my history? You’d find my preferred financial institutions where I do my online banking. What would your PC reveal?

My Bank Account Numbers and My Bank Account Passwords

If I happen to have account information and passwords stored for convenience, you’d be able to go into my accounts!

How many people have casual access to your computer? Can you be absolutely sure that no one’s curious and snooping?

Automated Spyware tools collecting ALL your Private info

Not only can anyone who has access to your computer poke around into your Web history, you should also be concerned with spyware doing the same. Spyware can search your computer’s log files and send sensitive information to organized criminal rings.

Casual Browsing of Adult Content

Another reason to cover your Internet tracks involves sparing your loved ones from finding out that you’ve been looking at adult content. According to WordTracker’s long term report on Web searches, the number one search term is “sex.” For those who are looking, it’s probably not a bad idea to clear out the history, especially if children have access to the computer.

What if he knew, that you want out?

People in abusive relationships are also advised to cover up their Internet tracks. For example, if your partner regularly monitors your phone calls or computer usage, you can bet he’s looking at your Web history. Most domestic violence agencies recommend using a public computer such as one at the local library when conducting Internet searches that may upset or provoke the abuser if discovered. For example, what might an abusive spouse do upon discovering a search for “Escaping from bad marriage” or “How to file for divorce”?     

Clearing Web tracks involves clearing the Web history files and cookies. However, this isn’t always enough, especially if the other party is computer savvy. Tools such as keyloggers and computer monitoring systems are readily available to stealthily record all of your keystrokes or provide screenshots of your computer activity. In addition, hidden system files, known as index.dat files, contain a complete record of all websites visited - even after clearing the history.

ParetoLogic Privacy Controls is Thorough

Specially designed software programs are available for completely covering your Internet tracks. For example, ParetoLogic Privacy Controls is an easy to use tool that will automatically and “completely” clean your Internet tracks.

Use the Privacy Controls “Secure Shred” Feature before PC Disposal

One final note about computer privacy, and I can’t stress this enough, you can’t be sure who’s looking at your computer’s history. Even the most upstanding of citizens should be concerned about what their hard disk reveals. Did you know that re-formatting a hard disk doesn’t really erase data? How many computers have you “recycled” over the years? Where is that data now? Even if you don’t feel the need to cover your Web tracks now, it’s important to remember to completely shred your hard drive when the time comes to dispose of your PC.