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> From: John Farenden <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Removing Cookies.
> Date: Tuesday 1 October 1996 08:40
>
> On Tue, 1 Oct 1996 12:25:20 +0000, Bob Sugden wrote:
I think there is a lot of unnecessary worry about cookies based on a worry
that people are invading your privacy to surf anonymously. I'm no expert,
but the following may set your mind at rest.
My understanding is that they are a small (255 character) text file which
can be transmitted by the server when you visit a site, and will be stored
on the client machine. They take up less than 4k each, Netscape limits to
20 cookies per domain, MS to 1 per domain (nice one Bill).
They are text only (i.e. no executables, so no chance of "erase c:\"
nightmares), and can only store the information you submit (although of
course the universally available info. such as where you came from, time,
IP address etc.) can be appended. They are domain specific (so Netscape
can't pick up the info you submitted to MS) and have an expiry date
(though they can be fairly long dated).
Common uses, counting the number of times you visited a site, remembering
customised page layouts and preferences, tracking where you visited at the
site, remembering passwords, handles etc. , err, they're all the ones I
know.
Pretty benign (especially since you can turn them off) ?
Find the ones on your system in the windows cookie file or tucked in with
your browser file and open them up to have a look what's inside by dragging
to the browser window, or opening in notepad or other text editor.
Example content:-
# Netscape HTTP Cookie File
# http://www.netscape.com/newsref/std/cookie_spec.html
# This is a generated file! Do not edit.
.hotbot.com TRUE / FALSE 937396800 ink
IU08ql4tF03E545DDD1B0E1EF6D5580506838E0A
.infoseek.com TRUE / FALSE 872426210 InfoseekUserId
63C75849CF517E05FB4B48B6BBFE51CD
If anyone's using them (probably by writing serverside CGI) can you let me
know as I'm curious to learn more ?
Paul
________________________________________________________________
Paul Galloway MBChB MRCGP
Marston Medical Centre, Oxford, OX3 0LY.
MedWeb UK http://www.medweb.co.uk
The interactive medical website for UK doctors
PGP Public Key fingerprint
F0 99 31 92 D2 B6 C2 10 7A 5D 7D 13 02 3B F2 D9
MedWeb Public Key
http://www.medweb.co.uk/public/reference/security_mw_pgp_key.htm
________________________________________________________________
>
> >>At 15:38 26/09/96, Paul Caldwell is rumored to have typed:
> >>
> >> Netscape ........
> >>> checking the "accepting a cookie" box under Protocols tab in Network
> >>> Preferences, it warns you of new cookies.
> >
> >It works - I altered the settings on my Netscape browser (Mac), and
within
> >hours, a "cookie warning" appeared.
> >
> >Presumably the use of most of these cookies is to add you to commercial
> >junk-email address lists? However, I can see some more disagreeable
uses
> >too.
> >
> >I have found the cookie file on my m/c - does anyone know if it's safe
just
> >to delete it?
>
> You might just want to rename it and see what happens..
>
>
>
>
> John Farenden
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