Browser Cookie

A browser cookie is a small piece of information sent by a web server to a web browser to be stored for future use. The data in the browser cookie will be sent back to the web server whenever the browser reconnects to the web site.

Cookies are commonly used to store user preference information, such as web site options. Cookies are also used to store shopping cart contents. The most security-relevant use of browser cookies is when they are used to store authentication data, such as user names and passwords.

First-Party, Third-Party Cookies, and Session Cookies

First-Party Cookies are cookies from the web site you are surfing. Third-Party Cookies are cookies from other web sites that advertise on the web site you are surfing.

Common senders of Third-Party Cookies include L90.com, Advertising,com, Avenue A, Bfast.com, ClickAgents.com, DoubleClick.com, FastClick.com, Focalink, Mediaplex, Shopnow, Speedyclick, Uproad, and Valueclick.

Session cookies are cookies which are not stored on the browser's computer. Session cookies are deleted when the user closes the browser. Because session cookies are not saved between sessions, they are seen as less of a security risk than persistent cookies.

Disabling or Enabling Cookies

Most web browsers can be configured to alert the user when a cookie is sent, or even to refuse cookies altogether. Refusing to send cookies will make some web sites more difficult to use and will make some web sites unusable.

How To Disable or Enable Cookies in Internet Explorer or SlimBrowser

To set the cookie handling options in SlimBrowser or Internet Explorer, select the Tools menu and then the Internet Options menu item. From there, select the Privacy tab and click the Advanced button. Check Override automatic cookie handling and you will be given access to a new set of menu options.

You are given the option to Accept, Block, or Prompt on First-Party Cookies and Third-Party Cookies.

You are also given the option to Always allow session cookies.

How To Disable or Enable Cookies in Netscape Navigator

To set the cookie handling options in Netscape Navigator, select the Edit menu and then the Preferences menu item. From there, double-click the Privacy and Security item from the left menu to open up the Privacy and Security menu items. Next, select the Cookies submenu to display your options.

You are given options to:

• Disable cookies
• Enable cookies for the originating web site only (i.e. enable first-party cookies and disable third-party cookies)
• Enable cookies based on privacy settings (this option allows you to enable cookies based upon the web sites published privacy policy)
• Enable all cookies

You are also given options to:

• Disable cookies in Mail and Newsgroups
• Ask me before storing a cookie
• Limit maximum lifetime of cookies

You can also click the Managed Stored Cookies button. This will show you the cookies currently stored by Netscape Navigator and allow you to selectively delete cookies. This menu will also allow you to disable or enable cookies for specific web sites.

How To Disable or Enable Cookies in Opera

To set the cookie handling options in Opera, select the File menu and then the Preferences menu item. From there, click the Privacy item from the left menu.

In the Cookies section on the right, you are given the option to:

• Enable cookies

Next you are given options for displaying or automatically accepting cookies:

• Do not accept cookies
• Display received cookies
• Accept only cookies from selected servers
• Automatically accept all cookies

You are then given options for enabling first-party and third-party cookies:

• Accept from all servers
• Do not accept third party cookies
• Display third party cookies
• Accept from all servers

Finally, you are given options to:

• Throw away new cookies on exit
• Display warning for illegal domains
• Accept illegal path
• Display warning for illegal path

Summary

Choosing which cookies to disable and which cookies to enable is a matter of personal preference. You must weigh your personal privacy concerns against your desires for convenience and access.

Personally, I enable cookies from the web site I am browsing and disable third-party cookies. I also enable session cookies.