Managing cookies part-2

What can I do to manage cookies stored on my computer?

Different browsers offer differing ways to configure your browser's cookie settings.

Due to the wide range of differences among differing websites' privacy policies, many browsers allow for universal privacy settings which users can choose from.

Users choose differing privacy settings based on their differing privacy concerns. Most commercial and/or professionally-created websites like Yahoo and Google have privacy policy pages that disclose how the sites handle, gather, and/or pass on user information to third parties. These are known as “P3P” features (Privacy Preferences Platform).

Some modern browsers have a feature that will analyze website privacy policies and allow a user to control their privacy needs. These are known as "P3P" features (Privacy Preferences Platform). Get more information on P3P.

If the commercial website you are visiting lacks a privacy policy, be very careful with any information you enter into any forms within the site.

You can easily remove any cookies that have been created in the cookie folder of your browser. For example, if you are on Windows machine, here are the steps on how to use Windows Explorer to erase cookie files:

* Click on 'Windows Explorer'
* Select the 'Search' button on the tool bar
* Enter “cookie” into the search box field for 'Folders and Files'
* Choose 'My Computer' in the 'Look In' drop down menu
* Click on 'Search Now'
* Select and open the folders that are retrieved
* Click to highlight any cookie file
* Click the 'Delete' key to erase the cookie file

If you don't have Windows Explorer, click the “Help” function on your “Start” button and enter “cookies” to search for information on how to locate the folder.

There are a number of ways to manage cookies. You can clear cookies, prevent cookies, delete cookies and enable cookies at your will and for different circumstances. If you use different computers in different locations you will need to ensure that each browser is adjusted to suit your cookie preferences

If you are using Firefox 2.0+ / 3.0+ / 4.0+/ to disable cookies:

a)      Go to 'Tools' in the menu bar

b)      Click on 'Options'

c)       Click on 'Privacy Tab'

d)      Disable the box that says 'Accept Cookies From sites'

To clear existing cookies:

a)      Go to 'Tools' in the menu bar

b)      Click on 'Options'

c)       Click on 'Privacy Tab'

d)      Click on "Clear Now"

e)      Select "Cookies"

f)       Click on "Clear Private Data Now"

This procedure will stop sites from installing cookies on your Firefox browser.

If you are using Google Chrome to disable cookies:

a)      Go to 'Tools Menu'

b)      Click on 'Options'

c)       Click on 'Under the Hood'

d)      'Cookie Setting' should be selected. Once done select 'Block all Cookies'

e)      Now all cookies should be blocked on your Google Chrome

To clear existing cookies:

a)      Go to 'Tools Menu'

b)      Click on 'Options'

c)       Click on 'Under the Hood'

d)      Under 'Privacy' section select "Show Cookies'

e)      A new window should open called 'Cookies' In here you can see all the cookies within your Google Chrome Browser.

f)       Click on "Remove All" to remove all traces of cookies

g)      If you wish to only remove a certain cookie, simply highlight and click "Remove"