ANSWERS: 7
  • No. I do it every so often when I experience browser issues (or don't want someone to be able to track where I've been - although there are other steps that have to be taken, as well). You WILL have to login to all the sites that remember you automatically when you visit, though. They use cookies in order to do that.
  • No not at all....clearing them often is a good way to speed up proformance...with cookies there are also webpage pictures so when you revisite the site, it loads faster.
  • Not at all. It enhances your privacy. On the other hand, you could be asked to give some data again on some sites. "HTTP cookies are used for authenticating, tracking, and maintaining specific information about users, such as site preferences and the contents of their electronic shopping carts." "Cookies have been of concern for Internet privacy, since they can be used for tracking browsing behavior." Source and further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTTP_cookie Other interesting information: http://www.cookiecentral.com/ http://www.cookiecentral.com/faq/
  • No, not at all. To repeat what's been said already, it (partially) retains your privacy (there are several levels to this - what you're clearing is only applicable to the 'shell', you're computer's interface. There are levels beyond that which store personal data). Also, it can remove spyware and 'tracking cookies', which stay hidden in your cache and feed personal information back to certain companies and websites.
  • Not at all, but it's a common misconception that emptying your cookie folder will make your computer run faster. Cookies are tiny files (usually less than 1kb) and your browser limits the number of cookies that are stored at one time so they never get out of hand and take up a lot of room. You can go through your cookies and delete the ones you don't NEED (cookies from ad sites and exchanges, etc), but there's really no benefit to deleting them all since your cookies save info about the websites you visit the most like username/password info, etc.
  • There's nothing wrong with it, but it's a waste of time. My opinion only - there is little point clearing your cookies, which are so very useful for the sites that use them for your benefit, when you consider that as soon as you resume browsing the net, they return almost instantly.
  • Nope, nothing wrong with it. They are sometimes helpful though, depending on the site. For the best of both worlds, I have Firefox delete all cookies on exit. For sites that I decide I want to keep my preferences, I add them to the exemptions list. Not sure if Internet Explorer has an option like this or not.

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