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Six Internet Cookie Myths, BUSTED
Six Internet Cookie Myths, BUSTED
What exactly is an internet cookie? Just mention a "cookie" to most internet users and you're likely to get the same reaction: disgust and fear. Over the years, cookies have gained a rather unfortunate reputation. However, a cookie is really nothing more than one or more pieces of information stored as text strings on your machine.
Here are six of the top myths surrounding cookies, and the reasons these myths aren't true, according to the DailyBits Article, Internet Cookies Aren't Evil: 6 Myths Busted:
"Myth #1: Cookies are a form of virus or worm
Internet cookies cannot cause damage, unlike a computer virus or worm. In fact, cookies do not really have anything to do with your computer system, as it is only composed of text understandable by both your browser and the web server that sent it. In short, Internet cookies are composed of only data, not programmed or programmable code.
Myth #2: Cookies are spyware that give out your personal information
Internet cookies contain information like browser type, IP addresses, and some private information, like usernames, that you provided (out of your own free will, of course), and that fact makes you afraid of Internet cookies being spywares themselves. But fear not, for the reason why Internet cookies took such information about you is because they only want to customize your surfing activities to your own liking.
Myth #3: Internet cookies produce pop-ups or allow their entrance to your browser
This is definitely a “no-can-do” for Internet cookies. Simply put, pop-ups comprises an online advertising scheme that increase Internet traffic, as they are contained in a separate browser window once its link is clicked. I find it rather doubtful that an Internet cookie could be triggered, not to mention open a web browser and burden the fast-paced Internet traffic that has always been loaded with server requests and replies.
Myth #4: Cookies give way to spamming
Spamming, according to Wikipedia, is the abuse of electronic messaging systems to indiscriminately send unsolicited bulk messages. In relation to Internet cookies, this, certainly, is not one of the functions of an Internet cookie, especially since an Internet cookie is just a group of data, not a programmed or programmable code (this seems to be the best explanation for all the misconceptions people have against Internet cookies). Also, they can only serve as informative tools browsers use for the computer user and nothing more.
Myth #5: Cookies are for advertising purposes only
Cookies serve a lot of purpose other than advertising. While it is true that advertisers make use of the cookies’ ability to store browsing behaviors of users who click on their advertisements in a web page, Internet cookies are more than that. Actually, cookies care a lot about the consumers in this virtual market.
Like any form of media there is today, the Internet also runs on advertisements to make browsing websites free for consumers. Cookies allow advertisers to promote on different publishers’ websites for consumers. Through watching a consumer’s surfing behavior, the cookies ensure that, while keeping enough ads for advertisers to catch an audience and for publishers to generate income, consumers will not be bombarded by too much promotion.
Myth #6: The best way to avoid any damage caused by cookies is to disable and delete them
You don’t want to do this, believe me. Internet cookies make our virtual lives easier by giving us an option to remember all our seemingly repetitive details we keep on typing on websites’ textboxes."
All in all, cookies don't deserve the sinister reputation they have gained. They make our lives easier, keep our internet free, and certainly don't put us at risk for worms or viruses.
Check out the full article here Internet Cookies Aren't Evil: 6 Myths Busted
