My Norton internet security keeps finding tracking cookies?

Question

It says there low risk, is this really a problem?

Answer 1

Definition of a Cookie.



Cookies are text files sent by a Web site's servers to a user's computer and stored in the user's browser.  An example of such a text file is as follows:



WEAT  CC=NC%5FRaleigh%2DDurham®ION=  www.msn.com/



Cookies remain on a user's computer until they reach their "expiration".  In some cases, the cookie expires at the end of the user's visit to the Web site.  In the case of persistent cookies, the cookie may remain on the user's computer for several years.  When a user (using the same account and/or browser) returns to a Web site that provided a persistent cookie, the text file is sent from the user's browser back to the Web site's server.   The receipt of the text file enables the Web site to identify the user and match him or her to personal information stored on the Web site's servers.  Since the personal information is stored on the Web site's servers, the text file known as the cookie is largely useless to any other site.  Once a user leaves a Web site, the site's cookie sits dormant until the user returns. [1]



Tracking or Tracing Cookies.



Tracking or tracing cookies are the most threatening to a user's privacy as they may be used to compile a profile of a user's Web surfing habits across multiple Web sites.  Whereas a regular cookie enables a Web site operator to develop a profile about a user based upon his or her actions solely on a that operator's site, tracking or tracing cookies go a step further by tracking and reporting information about actions taken on several different Web sites.  This enables the Web site operator to compile a much deeper profile of the user's behavior and interests.



Cookie Misconception #1:  Cookies Identify People

It is important to note that cookies do not necessarily identify a person, but rather a combination of a user account, a computer, and a Web browser.  Cookies do not differentiate between multiple users who share a computer and browser if they do not use different user accounts while at the Web site.  [2]



Cookie Misconception #2:  Cookies Are Programs Collecting Info About Me

As described above, cookies are not programs, but rather text files that identify a user.  Any information about the user is collected by the Web site in other ways while the user on the site and tied to the cookie-identifier.  Cookies do not actively do anything until a user accesses a Web site that recognizes the cookie (sometimes the same entity operates many Web sites, which may contribute to the misconception). [3]

Answer 2

No, its not really a risk.

Just some websites, use them.

And Norton should delete them, but you can always

go to internet options. And delete the cookies there.

Answer 3

Not at all..you can't avoid them, but get rid of them anyway despite being low risk.

Answer 4

if you have yahoo toolbar it has an anti-spy just click on that every day or so

Answer 5

Nope.

They are just data that web sites store, so in case you come back, you dont have to log in..

Answer 6

same here my Norton security finds them a lot, I always remove them just to be on the safe side.  

Answer 7

No but get rid all the same.

Answer 8

It's virtually impossible to avoid tracking cookies and any decent antivirus picks them up. They're not normally a risk but run your antivirus regularly and delete them.