When you hear the word cookie, you’re likely to think of a favorite tasty snack. The term online cookies,  however, is a computer code for information given to your web browser from each website you are visiting. The purpose of cookies on the internet is not to hurt you. It actually makes your internet online experience easier since personalizes and simplifies searches and helps you find the things you were looking at before. For example, when you go to a website like your bank, the cookie for that website recognizes your computer and will often put a note on the top of your computer screen with your name on it welcoming you back to the website.

When you go to a website where you placed an online order in the past, their cookies will save your mailing address and contact information for you so you don’t have to take the time to fill out the information form again.

Many people don’t like cookies in their computer. If they understood what cookies really do and don’t do, they probably would feel better about the service cookies provide for internet users. Cookies are not worms or viruses, they are not spyware and therefore, can’t gather your private information from your computer. Cookies cannot erase data from your hard drive.

Many websites will ask you if you will allow cookies on your computer, so you have a choice if you want them to know who you are and what your viewing preferences on their website might be. When you are ready to get rid of your cookies saved in your web browser it’s really easy. You just need to go to the history link when you are in the internet and delete the cookies.

For your entire computer needs call or contact Alpha Engineering Associates at 410-295-9500.