Cookies are a way a web site interacts with a visitor. Basically, it is a text file that a server stores on the hard drive of the web page visitor. It allows a web site to store information that can be used on the page when one visits it. These cookies do not store information on a user, what they do and where they go on the Internet. They merely store information pertinent to that user's visit to that particular, single web site.

Most web sites use cookies to track visitors when they visit. This tracks them when they are on that single web site, not when they deviate away from it. It assigns the user a unique ID that allows the webmaster track statistics on the site. Statistics such as when you visit, where you are from and what pages you are viewing on the entire site. These statistics help the web site owner figure out what content is good, what is bad and where the site needs overall improvement.

One of the easiest examples of cookies involve the use of a web site like Amazon.com or TigerDirect.com. Each site has a shopping cart users store items they want to purchase in. However, without cookies, every time you would browse away from the shopping cart, it would empty. Using a unique ID associated with your particular account or session at the site, it allows you to carry any items saved in that cart as you visit different pages on the web site and browse at different products.

Some people thinks cookies are intrusive, but when it comes down to it, they really are not. If you still feel uncomfortable with cookies, you can clear them each and every time you are done browsing depending on the browser. Some browsers even allow you to clear all the data stored per web session, so every time you close the browser, the data is gone until you surf again. Check your particular browser's help file to find out how to do this.