More on cookies (the bad ones!)
Carla said:
Thank you M2 and HD! Now I won`t be deleating the `cookies` anymore!Carla
It`s not a bad idea to go through your cookies individually and delete the ones you don`t recognize, or to set your internet settings so that additional cookies can`t be placed on your computer without authorization.
Whenever you have a "pop up" window on your computer, there`s usually a cookie involved (and one you probably should do without). I have my settings so that only cookies I want are placed on my computer, and I only allow "friendly" sites to do so. (so, merb, yes, "ripoffbanker.com", no)
I set my "cookie" recognition as follows:
Start at Control Panel menu--> Select Internet options--> a menu will appear, and select the "privacy" tab (third one)--> Select advanced settings:
1. check mark in box for "override automatic cookie handling"
2. First party cookies: prompt
3. Third-party cookies: block
A first-party cookie is when a website asks if they can put their own cookie on your computer. (for example, https://merb.cc puts a https://merb.cc cookie on your computer). A third-party cookie is when a cookie, other than the site your on, tries to put a cookie on your computer. (for example, the "ripoffbanker.com" cookie). Generally, reputable companies (of which merb is one) don`t have third-party cookies. Third-party cookies are often harmless,
BUT can be harmful. I was in pop-up hell for a few weeks back in December because the wrong cookie got on my computer, and it allowed a program to be installed that was constantly generating pop-ups and I couldn`t where on my computer the program was installed to. That was when I increased my security settings.
General rule of thumb is if you ever get a cookie from a website that you`ve never been to, you don`t want it.