Cookies?

[cameo]

hi. i'm not very savvy when it comes to computers.

can someone please tell me what exactly is a cookie, should i delete them and if so how?

all help very much appreciated!

[stevie21]

When I go to this site, I don't need to log in. This is because the site saves my details in a tiny text file (a cookie) on my PC and then reads them when I visit.
You can have all sorts of settings saved in cookies, e.g. if you use a foreign website e.g. Barcelona FC) but read it in English rather than the local language. Next time you visit you don't need to explicitly state that you want the English language version of their site
Most cookies are harmless though some are best deleted. Do you have any anti-spyware programs on your PC? They'll leave most cookies alone and only delete the bad yins.

[azif]

The main purpose of cookies is to identify users and possibly prepare customized Web pages for them. When you enter a Web site using cookies, you may be asked to fill out a form providing such information as your name and interests. This information is packaged into a cookie and sent to your Web browser which stores it for later use. The next time you go to the same Web site, your browser will send the cookie to the Web server. The server can use this information to present you with custom Web pages. So, for example, instead of seeing just a generic welcome page you might see a welcome page with your name on it.

you could delete them if you wish as some can be harmful - to delete them in Internet Explorer click on Tools then Internet Options and click Delete cookies.

[cameo]

Sorry i didn't get back to you sooner - the kids hi-jacked the computer!

thanks for your help!