Cookie Summary:

A cookie is a text string that is included with Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) requests and responses. Cookies are used to maintain state information as you navigate different pages on a Web site or return to the Web site at a later time.
Cookies cannot be used to execute code (run programs) or deliver viruses to your computer.

One of the primary purposes of cookies is to provide a convenience feature that you can use to save time. The purpose of a cookie is to tell the Web server that you have returned to a specific Web page. For example, if you personalize Web pages, or register for products or services, a cookie helps the Web page server to recall your specific information. This may be useful to simplify the process of recording your personal information, such as billing addresses, shipping addresses, and so on. When you visit the same Web site, the information you previously provided can be retrieved, so you can easily use the Web site features that you previously chose. For example:

• If you previously entered billing or shipping information for a purchase from a Web site, you may be able to use a password to automatically enter your information on an order form instead of having to enter this information again.
• A cookie can indicate that you previously selected one or more areas of interest you want to see each time you visit a Web site. For example, if you want to view only some types of news, you might select some types of news topics to view on a news-related Web site.

How to Delete Cookie Files?

To delete cookie files from your computer, follow the appropriate steps in this section for your version of Internet Explorer.

WARNING: Cookies may contain information for a customized Web page or logon information for a Web site. Before you delete your cookies, you may want to export or save them. If you are using Internet Explorer 5.0 or later, use the Import/Export Wizard in Internet Explorer to export your cookies.

If you are using a version of Internet Explorer earlier than Internet Explorer 5.0, upgrade to the latest version of Internet Explorer or manually copy your cookies to a safe location before you delete them.

Internet Tracks Washer has "cookie keeper" feature which can save valuable cookies to maintain your preferred Internet settings and log-ins.

1. Start Internet Explorer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options, and then click the General tab.
3. In the Temporary Internet Files section, click Delete Cookies, click OK, and then click OK again.

NOTE: To delete individual cookies in Internet Explorer 6, follow the instructions for Internet Explorer 5, 5.01, and 5.5 for Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows 2000, and Windows Millennium Edition.

Internet Explorer 5, 5.01, and 5.5 for Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows 2000, and Windows Millennium Edition

1. Start Internet Explorer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options, and then click the General tab.
3. In the Temporary Internet Files section, click Settings.
4. Click View Files.
5. On the View menu, click Details.
6. Click the Internet Address column header, and then find the Internet addresses of the cookie files. For example, a cookie Internet address may be named similar to the following name:

   Cookie:username@websitename.com

7. Click a cookie file, and then press DELETE. If you are prompted to confirm that you want to delete the file, click Yes. Repeat this step for each cookie file.

1. Start Internet Explorer.
2. On the View menu, click Internet Options, and then click the General tab.
3. In the Temporary Internet Files section, click Settings.
4. Click View Files.
5. On the View menu, click Details.
6. Click the Internet Address column header, and then locate the Internet address of the cookie file. For example, a cookie Internet address may be named something similar to the following name:

   Cookie:username@websitename.com

7. Click a cookie file, and then press DELETE. If you are prompted to confirm that you want to delete the file, click Yes. Repeat this step for each cookie file.