They sound innocuous enough, but some users are concerned that cookies are invading their privacy.
A cookie is a text file that can collect and store information about you on the hard drive of your computer, such as what web pages you've visited. Many sites use cookies as a way to track visitor information. Cookies are stored to help sites speed future access and customize information for you.
Since a cookie "remembers" your preferences, it can save you time. But some people consider the use of cookies an invasion of privacy.
When a cookie is placed on your computer, in theory, the website that stored that cookie on your system is supposed to be the only site that can reopen that information in the future.
But that's not always the case. Many sites use advertising from third parties who either are given permission to "read" that particular website's cookie, or they may use their own cookies. In this way, marketing organizations can track your visits to all the sites that use those cookies.
Cookie control
If you want to know when a website tries to send you a cookie, set your browser to notify you. This will allow you to decide whether or not to accept it.
Enable cookies on trusted sites that require them.
You can automatically block all cookies sent to third parties. You can try blocking all cookies, but this will make some sites unavailable.
You can also delete the cookies stored on your computer.
