Microsoft Internet Explorer - as all modern browsers - store small text files called "cookies" on your hard drive that allow web site publishers to remember your settings and preferences to allow customize their web sites according to your personal wishes. Cookies are also used to remember your user name and password so you don't have to enter it again, weather sites use it to "remember" what city you want the weather for.

 

These are all potentially "good" things - things that can help make your browsing experience easier, and thus, better.

Not all cookies do things to help you. There are some sites (more and more now days) that share their cookie information with other sites. This basically means that they can track where you go - thus creating a profile on your surfing habits. If they combine this data with all the other public data on you - it's possible that they can figure out your name, email address, and other things that you didn't give them permission to know.

The fact is - your computer probably contains hundreds of cookies right now. The good new is that you are in 100% control of how your browser handles cookies and you can choose to allow "good" cookies and block "bad" cookies.

I'll be honest with you - if you choose to go down this road, depending on how tightly you want to control things - you'll have to give up some of the "ease of use" you're accustomed to.
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For example, you'll have to enter your own passwords; some shopping sites may or may not work; and some site may refuse to load at all. However, most "main stream" sites have ways to allow you in, to allow you to shop WITHOUT using cookies. These are the types of sites you probably want to visit, anyway!

In a nutshell - you're going to need to:

1. Delete all your existing cookies
2. Tell Internet Explorer to block all future cookies
3. Tell Internet Explorer to accept cookies only from the sites you choose

Fire up Explorer (if it's not already open). The setting below demonstrate the MOST RESTRICTIVE setting you can get. Now we're ready to take control of our cookies:

Choose "Internet Options..." from the "Tools" menu

Click on the "Privacy" tab.

Click the "Internet" icon and click the "Advanced" button.

Choose "Override automatic cookie handling" to place a check mark in its box.

Choose Block under both "First Party Cookies" and "Third-party Cookies".

Click to put a check mark in the "Always allow session cookies" box.

Click OK.


To view different cookie management strategies and to get more detailed information and tips on fine-tuning your control over your cookies - I suggest you check out the free articles at http://www.1clicktraining.com.

About the Author:
Eric Roberts is an internet entrepreneur that has founded a number of sites helping people get more done in less time including http://www.1clicktraining.com. Check out his blog at http://newbienerds.blogspot.com.

 

Eric is a computer programmer, author and trainer. He has trained people internationally for over 14 years, has spoken at major conventions, and still manages to find time to have fun while exploring the ever-changing technology landscape. For more insights into his mind - visit his blog at http://NewbieNerds.blogspot.com.