Cookies are small files placed on your computer by web sites. In general, they are harmless and help web sites keep track of information. A cookie may remember your name so that the web site can call you by name the next time you return. If you shop on line, the store's web site might use a cookie to store information about your favorite subjects, and later use that information to make valuable recommendations to you.

Some people don't like cookies because they feel "big brother" is monitoring them. Unfortunately, some sites require cookies to operate correctly, and the use of cookies is so widespread that trying to do without them can be more annoying than the cookies themselves. Browsers can be set to warn you before accepting cookies, but this option often results in seeing dozens and dozens of warnings with little productive work occurring on the web.