Cookies

Cookies are similar to spyware, but do not pose as much of a threat. A cookie is a piece of data that is put on a user’s computer when particular websites are visited. They are small files that are not executable. These can often be used to allow for automatic logins on websites such as ones people use to access e-mail. However, they also allow other people, programs, and companies to record much of a user’s online activity.¹¹

Although cookies are generally non-threatening, cases do exist in which they were used to gather personal information. Loopholes have been discovered in various programs by, what tom-cat.com refers to as, “e-marketers.” These holes can allow others to view personal information such as credit card numbers.¹²

Footnotes:

11. Mayer-Schonberger, Viktor, “The Cookie Concept,” In Cookie Central.com, <http://www.cookiecentral.com/content.phtml?area=2&id=1>, 2002.
12. Tom-Cat Internet Solutions, “Cookies,” <http://www.tom-cat.com/cookies.html>, 2002.