Computer Cookies

Computer Club Discusses Cookies 

   Cookies are for the most part harmless files stored in the P.C. - unseen and seldom discussed. They are small text files placed there by web pages visited by the reader.   

   Why? It’s mostly about marketing. Cookie is the term that describes a message given to a web browser by the web server.

   Its main purpose is to identify the person accessing the website. The site then prepares a Web page that will appeal to that person. That’s the marketing feature.

   As an example, readers may have noticed that when calling up Yahoo on another P.C. (perhaps at the Computer Center) what appears on the monitor is different from what is seen at home. Cookies have permitted the website to provide the page at home to be customized to the reader’s interests.

   Does this seem like an invasion of privacy masquerading as improving service to the customer? Initially the Government didn’t seem too concerned. However, on November 19, 2012, this decision was announced:

   “A California judge last week approved a $22.5 million settlement that the FTC handed down against Google over charges that it misrepresented how users of Apple's Safari browser were having their Internet activity tracked.”

   So, there does seem to be concern over “tracking cookies” and “third party cookies” because of the capacity to compile long-term records of individuals' browsing histories.

      The other function of a cookie is a more positive one. It saves the login information so the site will come up automatically. In other words when one goes to the website, it reads the cookie and access is allowed without using a user name or a password.

      The reader can see that cookies, while harmless, are a bit of a mixed bag. They do not carry viruses, but do gather information that is bent toward the advertisers, even though the process does produce a webpage more suitable to the user’s interests.

   Here is a website, courtesy of Dan Sorkin. It demonstrates rather cleverly what can be done with the gathering of a person’s information. Go to: http://www.youtube.com/embed/F7pYHN9iC9I?rel=0. The URL is lengthy, but the video isn’t. It’s worth a visit and as Sorkin says: “The ending is a shocker”.

    Google presents a great deal of information on cookies, including how to control or delete them; how the user benefits from them; and, the variety that exist. In addition, going to www.howstuffworks.com provides good explanations, as well.

   None of this is a reason to stay away from computers. It’s a good reason, however, not to impulsively disclose personal information.

 Tip of the Week

   Using Yahoo as an example, the question is how is it placed as an icon on the desktop? Right click on a blank space on the desktop. Click on “new”; then click on “shortcut”; type in the address – www.yahoo.com; up pops a new, but unnamed, icon on the desktop. Right click “rename” and type in Yahoo. Click on the icon and Yahoo appears.

Other Matters of Interest

   The club continues to accept volunteers to serve at the Computer Center. Computer literacy is an essential prerequisite. Those preferring to work on-call as a substitute are welcome, too. Please call the computer center or the office at 280-3984.

   To reach the Computer Center call 947-4527 or 947-4528 or e-mail rossmoorcomputercenter@comcast.net.