On the Internet, there's always one topic that's hot: Censorship, push technology, spamming, and the browser wars have all occupied the spotlight. Lately, it seems that "cookies" are what's hot. No, not the fresh-from-the-oven variety. No chocolate chips here. We're talkin' Internet cookies. Read on to get the facts about these increasingly common and sometimes controversial aspects of life on the Net.

What are cookies?

Cookies are simply bits of information, small text files (usually less than 1K in size), that your browser picks up at many Web sites and stores on your hard drive.

Where do cookies come from?

You. Yes, that's right. Most of the time, the data stored on the text files comes from information you have supplied. This information may be your zip code, your username, any information you provided at an online form.

What are cookies used for?

Personalized content delivery is one of the most effective uses of cookies. EarthLink uses cookies to deliver all the special, personal content members choose on their Personal Start Pages and to identify them as members. Without cookies, you would have to reregister and reselect your preferences each time you wanted to use your start page.

A cookie often functions as a small, digital ID badge. With them, Web sites can "remember" who you are and what your preferences are. Without such a record, a Web site must treat you like a brand new visitor every time you visit the site.

What does EarthLink use cookies for?

EarthLink (as noted above) primarily uses cookies to deliver personalized information to our members on their Personal Start Pages. Without cookies we would be unable to "remember" that you are an EarthLink member and remember how you customized your page. EarthLink has also used cookies (but doesn't currently) in the delivery and management of our advertising banners. EarthLink uses the revenue from banners to deliver consistently fast, reliable Internet access and high-quality (and costly) technical support to all our members.

What else are they used for?

Online shopping and Web site tracking are other common uses of cookies.

In online shopping, cookies are used to create a virtual "shopping cart," which can remember the items you have selected as you switch from one page to another within the site. If you are forced to terminate your connection while shopping, the items will remain in your shopping cart until you reconnect to the site.

Web developers and webmasters like cookies because cookies provide them with information. Cookies can tell the webmasters how many unique visits their sites have had, how often users return, where they go, and what they like. This information can help them generate more effective pages. For example, they may be able to eliminate "dead ends," places on their site where people go and then wander off because there are no more interesting links to click on.

What about advertisers? How do they use cookies?

Advertising companies can use cookies to target ad banners. One large advertising network, DoubleClick, has come under some criticism for trying to track customers by creating cookie-generated profiles. The company then tries to serve you with ad banners they think you will respond to; it claims not, however, to gather personal information or sell any of its cookie data.

If cookies are text files, who can read this text?

A cookie can only be read by the site domain that created it. Webmasters can't snoop through all your cookies and find out information about you.

Can a cookie carry a computer virus that will infect my computer?

No. Viruses are carried by executable files. Since cookies are text only, which cannot contain executable files, they cannot carry viruses.

So what's the big deal? Why do some people object to cookies?

Some anti-cookie sentiment is based on misinformation and paranoia: That cookies are malicious, that they can snoop around your hard drive and gather information about you, that they can reveal personal information. But cookies are simple text files that cannot capture any information about you. They only store information you have voluntarily provided while visiting a site. And browsers already reveal some information about you without cookies: your IP address, operating system, browser type, etc.

Do I have to accept cookies?

No, you do not. Most browsers can be configured to refuse all cookies. Though not accepting cookies will make you lose out on many features of the Web. You will, for instance, have to reregister each time you want to use your Personal Start Page and you will not be able to save any personalized features if you do not accept any cookies.

Can I accept some and reject others?

Yes, you can. It is common for people to set their browsers to alert them before accepting a cookie. This way you can pick and choose which ones you want to accept.

How do I set my browser so I can choose to accept or reject cookies?

You can configure your Web browser to alert you before accepting cookies if you are using Netscape 3.0 or above, or Microsoft's Internet Explorer 3.0 or above.

Netscape Navigator (Windows and Macintosh)

In version 4.0, go to the Edit menu and select Preferences. In the left menu pane, click Advanced. On the right pane, find the section titled Cookies and check the box labeled Warn me before accepting a cookie. Click OK.

In version 3.0, go to the Options menu and select Network Preferences. Then select the Protocols tab. Locate the section titled Show an alert before and check the box labeled Accepting a Cookie. Click OK.


Internet Explorer (Windows)

In version 4.0, go to the View menu and select Internet Options. Click the Advanced tab. Scroll down the list and find the Cookies section. Check the box labeled Prompt before accepting cookies. Click OK.

In version 3.0, go to the View menu and click on Options. Select the Advanced tab. In the Warnings section, check the box labeled Warn before accepting cookies.


Internet Explorer (Macintosh)

In version 3.0 and later, go to the Edit menu and select Preferences. In the left menu pane, click on Cookies (you may have to click the small arrow next to Receiving Files to see the Cookies option). On the right, find the pull-down menu labeled When receiving cookies and select Ask for each cookie. Click OK

With any of these browsers, you will now receive a warning when any cookie is sent, and have the option of declining the cookie.

Are there any other Web sites that explain about cookies?

Netscape: HTML Cookies Documentation

CNET: The Truth about Cookies

Cookie Central

So You Want a Cookie, huh?

Malcolm's Guide to Persistent Cookies

Andy's HTTP Cookie Notes

Builder.com: Adding Cookies to Your Site

Interactive Week: The Web Gets Personal

Interactive Week: Can Cookies Crumble Your Browser?

Making it Personal with Cookies

PC Week: Are Cookies a Treat or a Recipe for Trouble?

Kim Komando: C is for Cookie