Internet Cookies: The Good and the Bad

Internet cookies aren’t as complicated as you might think. The majority of cookies are used for

your convenience only, merely a tool companies use to make your visit to their website much

easier and efficient, like saving your log-in information. Other cookies may be used to gather

information from your computer. In fact, many research companies today are utilizing these

cookies so they may find out information that people wouldn’t normally give out, like abortion,

sexual offenses, or gun control information. These are the types of cookies that may, naturally,

raise some concerns about privacy.

Since the year 2000 internet cookies have been a major media spectacle. This is largely due to

the fact that companies are storing information on your computer, simply to retrieve this data at a

later time…but let’s analyze this carefully. Internet cookies are simply name-value pairs, or if

you rather, data with a name and given value. Let’s say that Ebay wants to store a cookie on your

computer that holds your log-in information. The name of the

cookie may be User_ID while the value is a list of numbers and

letters, much like a serial number, that the website may translate

into your actual log-in information. This type of cookie is benign,

and cannot be used to view information on your computer. In fact,

it is very practical, especially if you frequent the website

regularly. These cookies work within the privacy laws to make

your life easier.

On the other hand, there are internet cookies that are utilized to

view personal information stored on your computer, like credit

card information. These cookies work within the privacy laws only if they ask your permission

first. We’ve all seen it before, type in your credit card number and a message pops up asking if

you would like to store this information. It is the almost viral cookie, the one that doesn’t ask

permission to view personal information that is considered unlawful. There have been countless

cases of identity theft utilizing this exact method. Fortunately, the human race has come a long

way in how to protect your computer form this sort of theft. Any computer user with McAfee or

Norton Antivirus shouldn’t worry about this.

Internet Cookies: The Good and the Bad

Of course, there are ways to disable cookies on your computer. Just click on the privacy setting

button within the toolbar of your internet browser and follow the prompt that will lead you to the

option of disabling the cookies (this is how to enable cookies). However, there are a lot of

websites that won’t actually let you enter any information or make a transaction without first

enabling your cookies. This is not to be a burden for you so much as a benefit; a security setting

made specifically for the user. This actually prevents what is called “Session Hijacking,” where a

hacker will virtually place himself between the user and website, assuming the role of the user

and reaping all the benefits. By enabling your cookies, the website may then make sure that the

information you are giving is form your actual computer and that they don’t, in turn, give your

information to the hacker.

All in all, cookies are a good thing and aren’t quite what they are hyped-up to be. Made

specifically with the convenience of the user in mind, internet cookies are what make browsing

websites both convenient and efficient. Simple anti-virus programs are now capable of blocking

even the most potentially threatening cookies. Of course, when in doubt, disable cookies on your

internet browser and surf away resting assured that your information isn’t being given out freely.