How bad are Browser Cookies ?
That depends. A pound of Oreos a day will wreak havoc with your diet.
But if you are talking about computer cookies, the things that your web browser uses...
don't believe all the hype that's out there on how dangerous they are and how they
invade your privace, steal your creditcard information and neuter the dog.
Instead of giving you a speech that you don't have to worry about cookies,
let's have a look at an example so you understand what they actually do for you!
Let's say you want to check today's TV listings and go to tvguide.com.
Innocent enough, isn't it.
Now, when you get to their site they have a problem.
You see, there are thousands of TV and Cable station all over the country, each showing
different programming.
How is TV Guide supposed to know which one you need?
So, they will ask for your ZIP code. Once they know your ZIP code they can look up the available
cable operators in yor area and will present a list of them from which you can
pick the one that provides your service.
Voila, you are done and they will gladly show you your local TV listing. Didn't you know it, the Simpsons are on a 5pm on FOX....:-)
So far, so good.
Now, later that day, or the next day or... well, take your pick... you want to check the listing again.
Now, do you really want to go thru the song and dance with the ZIP codes and the cable stations again?
Pain in the neck, isn't it.
Wouldn't it be nice if TV Guide somehow could remember what you wanted?
Now that's where cookies come in.
You see, when you return to the TV Guide website they have no way of knowing who you are!
But what they can do is store the zip code and cable operator info you entered on your first visit
somewhere on YOUR computer. Not on theirs!! No, on your hard disk. That info is called a 'cookie'.
Now, when you return to TV guide website their website will ask your computer "Do you have a cookie for tvguide.com?"
If so, YOUR computer will send it to them and they can basically fill out the ZIP code and cable operator info automatically for you.
As far as you are concerned, they 'remembered' you.
Innocent enough.
If you are wondering if another website can now read this cookie and find out your ZIP code... the
answer is NO! Each website can only read the cookie that THIS website originally stored on your
computer.
But let's say you are a bad boy and after tv-guide you surf to nakedchicks.com because tv-guide
told you that nothing interesting was on TV for the next hour. If you are worried that the
nakerd ladies now know your ZIP code because of the TV-Guide info you entered... not a chance !!
They can not read the TV Guide cookie info!
What it comes down to is this, a cookie can only contain those personal info about you that
you provided to the website in the first place!
Now, a website may write down the date you visited as well. That way when you return 2 weeks later
they can tell you what has been new since your last visit. Again, nothing sinister about that.
Basically, cookies help a website to make things easier for repeat visitors.
That's all folks :-)
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