Spyware Cookies

Spyware Cookies Defined

Cookies are tidbits of information stored on your computer by the websites you visit. Cookies often contain browsing information like the time of day you visited, how long you stayed on the site, the types of products you looked at, the color choices you may have made and any other information you may have provided at the website. It is commonly believed that cookies are bad, but this is not always the case. Cookies are a tool, and like most tools, they can be used for many different purposes.

Not All Cookies are Bad

Cookies are a double-edged sword; on one hand, they store information that can improve your surfing experi ence, on the other they can be spyware that tracks more inform ation about you than you would like others to know.

Helpful cookies generally store only pertine nt infor mation necessary to make your browsing experience better and they generally go inactive (expire) after a short time. Some helpful cookies will ask for your consent before placing the cookie on your machine. i.e. Would you like to remember you preferences?

Spyware Cookies are Intrusive
A spyware cookie is any cookie that crosses the line from helpful to intrusive. Spyware cookies are not interested in making your surfing experience better; the sole interest is to gather free marketing data to promote a sale of a product or service. Spyware cookies are placed on your machine by a consortium of websites that track your movement from one website to another. Spyware cookies can track your every click and record all information you enter into non-encrypted online forms. Most people are wise enough not to spill out personal data online, but over time spyware cookies can gather and compile all sorts of intrusive data about you—much like someone going through your garbage can on a regular basis.

Spyware Cookie Control
It is not always easy to tell if you have spyware cookies stored on your computer. Some people go overboard and delete all of their cookies—spyware and helpful cookies alike. If you remove all your cookies, you may lose the benefits, and time saving tools of sites you trust. Anti-Spyware products specialize in identifying spyware cookies placed on your machine for the sole purpose of tracking. These programs are capable of removing not only cookies, but all forms of spyware. To find out if cookies have been placed on your computer click here for our number one ranked product Spy Sweeper. It’s safe and it’s quick. A few seconds can save you from becoming an identity theft statistic. Click Here - To review the top ten anti-spyware products and see side-by-side comparisons.