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.

[AB Editor]

"Does This Web Site Install Cookies On Your Computer?"

Yes.

"Virtually every site now says that by using it, you agree to cookies being installed on your computer"

The law more or less states you need to do this. We have opted to cover the issue in our privacy policy.

"Why can they do this when they know that such things can cause your computer to operate slowly"

They're very unlikely to be the cause of your computer operating slowly.

"which is why we are always being told to delete these things via Internet Options"

Are you? I don't think you are at all, but you've interpreted the option to do so as an encouragement. Would be interested if I am wrong there (and you offer some proof).

"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?"

You'll be recookied as soon as you moved to the next page. If there was any time to do it, it would be after you left a website... not that you should bother with it at all to be honest.

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

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

[Old_Geezer]

Don't they all use cookies ?

Cookies need not slow your computer enough to be noticed, they are merely data to be read and acted upon.

It is clearly not the equivalent of junk mail/calls. They are not installed on the site but written to your PC drive, so yes, when you revisit the site the site will see you as a new visitor because you have no cookie to tell it otherwise and will reinstall the cookie.

[AB Editor]

Cookies allow us to do things like make sure you're still logged in next time you visit, for example. They're completely anonymous, don't harm your computer and allow us to make the site work better for you.

I know there's a lot of misinformation out there, which you've clearly bought, but you need to take a step back and ask yourself what you really understand about cookies before getting worried about them.

I am happy to answer any questions.

[Old_Geezer]

You may be getting confused about the use of different cookies. Some contain data to track you over several sites. Many folk don't mind this, I find it unacceptable and so use apps that scan and remove cookies known to spy on your site visits.

[aelmpvw]

i hate the ones that collapse as soon as you dunk them in your tea

[Hopkirk]

Stupid boy

[AB Editor]

"I find it unacceptable and so use apps that scan and remove cookies known to spy on your site visits."

It's not spying!

It's re-marketing - by visiting a website you get a cookie, when you go to the next one it "asks" if you have any cookies it recognises, your browser says "yes" and you get shown an ad for those hob-nobs you nearly bought last week (but didn't) - in case they can get you to buy them this time.

No one learns anything about you from this process. Just that you once looked at some hobnobs.

(other biscuits are available)

[AB Editor]

We've got good bits about this here:

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/AB-Editors-Blog/article/the-answerbank-privacy-policy/

Can you give me some examples of the kind of cookies used by The AnswerBank?

Certainly! The table below should offer some clarity as to the types of cookies we use and the kinds of cookies you may see on your system after using The AnswerBank:

NOTE: Due to the nature of our advertising partners we cannot list all cookies used on The AnswerBank, we have provided examples of a few of the advertisers running through our partners to offer a sense of the kind of cookies used.

Cookie File Name Cookie Type Use On The AnswerBank
__utma, __utmb, __utmc, __utmz Google tracking cookies These kinds of cookies let us know if you're a new or returning visitor, time on site, the last page you were on and other useful analytics features. We use these to measure site performance and membership. More information on Google cookies can be found here

OAID (from ad.silverdisc.co.uk) AnswerBank OpenX Advertising tracking Cookie This allows us to track how many people have seen adverts on the page, independent of the advertisers being shown. It is important to us know how many adverts we can display, otherwise our relationships with advertisers may become compromised.

__atuvc, xtc, uid, uvc, uit, psc Addthis.com Social Sharing Buttons The AnswerBank uses AddThis to make sharing our content easy. These cookies control elements such as the look of the button, it's interactings with users, whether a user has already shared an item and how many "shares" of an item there has been. More information on AddThis.com's Privacy policy and cookies can be found here

PHPSESSID, abui, abuish AnswerBank Cookies These are cookies which help improve the user experience of The AnswerBank - such as remembering whether a member is logged in or previously entered text when a user enters a question without being logged in.

subID camp_freq_p1, impressions_p1, io_freq_p1, SWID, OAID, OACBLOCK, _OACCAP[2591}, OACCAP, SWID, OAID, OXLIA Advertiser Cookies These are example cookies from a few advertisers (from: delivery.switchadhub.com, invitemedia.com and delivery.ctasnet.com). The purposes of these include: ensuring a user only sees a certain number of particular adverts per session, counting the number of impressions and re-targeting previous customers.



Find out more about cookies, how they work, and how to manage them effectively please read more at aboutcookies.org

[ChuckFickens]

"Just that you once looked at some hobnobs."

Or strictly speaking, they don't know that *you* once looked at some hobnobs, they know that {a53e98e4-0197-4513-be6d-49836e406aaa} once looked at some hobnobs.

[AB Editor]

"No one learns anything about you from this process. Just that you once looked at some hobnobs."

Sorry, just to point out, still no-one knows you looked at some hobnobs (because you're the one carrying the info around the net). They don't know who you are or what you want to do with those hobnobs.

[AB Editor]

That's what I'm trying to articulate Chuck, thank you.

And even then, no human looks at those strings.

[ChuckFickens]

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. :)

[Hopkirk]

I think you can adjust the settings on your computer to reject cookies, if you wish.

[netibiza]

What are cookies? and do I have to delete them, what does it do if I don't?

[AB Editor]

"I think you can adjust the settings on your computer to reject cookies, if you wish."

Yep, sadly it doesn't work as easily for cupboards :)

[ChuckFickens]

You can reject cookies, but you'll then find your web browsing at best becomes a lot more awkward, and at worst simply doesn't work, and all for the point of satisfying some unneeded paranoia.

[netibiza]

Please in simple terms, can someone tell me what is the best thing to do with cookies, and how? thank you x

[ChuckFickens]

Dunk them in your tea, carefully, otherwise you end up with a mess at the bottom of your cup :)

[ChuckFickens]

http://business.hibu.com/knowledge/articles/an-explanation-of-internet-cookies/

[netibiza]

I am not a dunker I am from Eastbourne!!! Well have just deleted all my cookies, am expecting computer to crash mightily now!