What are cookies on the computer for?

Question

What do they do? Whats the point of them?

i scan my computer to get rid of viruses once a week and there are always a bunch of bad cookies that it finds and i was just wondering about the cookies and why you get them.

Answer 1

they show what you did in your history. maybe your going to bad websites

Answer 2

Cookies are files that are stored up in computers (usually web browsers) so that if you ever return to re-open that file, it would load much faster since its already saved up. It is recommended to clean up cookies from web browsers and computer HDD's every few months or so.  

Answer 3

A cookie is a small text file written to your computer by a web site you have visited.  It may contain information like a saved password for the site, or preferences for how the site looks or works for you (such as remembering your name).  Normally cookies are harmless.

They are also by sites that have a shopping cart or other features that require them to store information about you.  Since they can not store the information on their web site (they would run out of room in a matter of minutes), they use cookies to store your information on your computer instead. (Plus it is safer with you than with them.)

However, some web site will look at your computer, trying to find cookies for other web sites. Then they use that information to better target the ads they show you on their site. (For example, if they find information from four or five "dating" web site, they will show you dating service ads.)  It is also possible that they might be able to discover some other private information about you stored in another sites cookie. So clear them from time to time is a good idea.  

Because anti-virus programs need to keep you worried about your computer's security to keep you buying their product, they will normally list ALL cookies as being harmful (or at least potentially harmful).  If they can show 200 threats to your computer, you are more likely to keep buying for their program then if they only show you 2 threats.)

Because cookies can eventually fill up your computer, it is a good idea to clear them regularly. But they are not nearly the "threat" that many people would have you believe.

Answer 4

computer "cookies" remember certain information on the hard drive/memory. the reason they pop up as bad is the fact that if your computer were to be hacked into, there would be passwords, usernames, card numbers, etc. remembered on the drive and could be stolen.

most cookies arent bad, and it doesnt really matter whether you delete them or not.

Answer 5

cookies aren't all bad. websites use them to see if you've been to their site before, and remember things about you.(if you're logged in, where you visited in their site, what you have in your shopping cart on their site, etc...)

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