What are tracking cookies please ?

Question

I have 4 tracking cookies every day the anti virus says this is low risk level. But im just wondering what it means, how do you rid them too pls.

Answer 1

http://chris.pirillo.com/2007/07/20/what-is-a-tracking-cookie/

look at this it tells you exactly what it is

Answer 2

Tracking cookies are little snippets of computer code that certain websites put on your PC. They basically look at the kind of websites you visit, and then report back, so that targeted ads can be sent to you. You won't necessarily get "more" ads, but the ads that you normally see will be targeted to your interests.



For instance, if you visit a lot of music websites, then when you log onto Yahoo! (for example) the ads will all be music related.



The internet is dependent on advertising, and many repuatable sites use tracking cookies. Generally they do no real harm, but...

There are indeed evil tracking cookies which can download "other" cookies and malware. And some will send so much data that they can slow your connection and computer.



You can let your AV software delete the cookies, or you can do it yourself from within your browser:

1. for Internet Explorer - Tools, Internet Options. Click the General tab. Click "Delete Cookies".

2. for Firefox - Tools, Options, click the Privacy tab, click the "Show Cookies" button.

You can also choose to delete specific cookies.



One warning... not all cookies are bad! Lots of sites use cookies to "remember" your info so that you don't have to register or sign-in each time you visit. The internet would be a lot less user-friendly without any cookies at all. I'd suggest "not" disabling all cookies.

Good luck,

Donk

Answer 3

A Tracking Cookie is any cookie used for tracking users' surfing habits. Tracking Cookies are a form of Tracking Technology. They are typically used by advertisers wishing to analyze and manage advertising data, but they may be used to profile and track user activity more closely. However, tracking cookies are simply a text file, and far more limited in capability than executable software installed on users' computers. While installed software can potentially record any data or activity on a computer (see System Monitor), cookies are simply a record of visits or activity with a single Website or its affiliated sites.

Answer 4

they r 3rd party cookies which r put on ur system w/out ur knowledge because they r hidden in web pages

while essentially they r harmless i don't particularly like some1knowing and tracking which web sites i go on so they can market me

to get rid of them besides running scans it just takes a few diff settings

internet options>privacy>advanced tab>tick override auto cookie handling>tick allow 1st party cookies>tick block third party cookies>tick always allow cookie sessions

with this set up u will still have full functionality of ur browser but not the 3rd party junk

however some may still get thru to prevent this u can download one or both of these they take no resources they just block

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

Answer 5

tracking cookies are kinda like spyware, but not always. a "cookie" is sent to your computers internet folder when you visit a website, so the computer knows youve been to that website before. ever wonder why going to a site for a first time it loads..but the second or third time it loads faster? thats what cookies are for..

Answer 6

Its whats on your computer when you visit a certain site a trakcing cookie keeps track of your activity on the pc you can just use spyware removal to get rid of it.. i USED TO GET THEM, but since i used windows live care i dont get them anymore..

Answer 7

They track where you've been on the web so they can give you pop ups according to your interests. You can disable cookies through your browser.

Answer 8

tracking cookies is a virus. anti-virus should tell u if u wanna fix it. at the end of the row there should be a thing that you can choose to fix, ignore.