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How do I enable Cookies?
Posted by James Robshaw on 06 March 2009 08:31 AM

What is a cookie?

A cookie is a text-only string that gets entered into the memory of your web browser. This value of a variable that a website sets. If the lifetime of this value is set to be longer than the time you spend at that site, then this string is saved to file for future reference.

The information the cookie contains is set by the web server and it can be used by that server whenever the user visits the site. A cookie can be thought of as an internet user's identification card, which tells a web site when the user has returned.

Are cookies dangerous to my computer?

NO. A cookie is a simple piece of text. It is not a program, or a plug-in. It cannot be used as a virus, and it cannot access your hard drive. Your browser (not a programmer) can save cookie values to your hard disk if it needs to, but that is the limit of the effect on your system.

Can cookies threaten users' privacy?

Cookies are stored on the computer's hard drive. They cannot access the hard drive - so a cookie can't read other information saved on the hard drive, or get a user's e-mail address etc. They only contain and transfer to the server as much information as the users themselves have disclosed to a certain web site.

A cookie is a text-only string that gets entered into the memory of your browser. This value of a variable that a website sets. If the lifetime of this value is set to be longer than the time you spend at that site, then this string is saved to file for future reference.


The following instructions describe how to enable Cookies in your browser. If your browser isn't listed, please consult the browsers online help pages.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 8.0 - 10.0

  1. Select the 'Tools->Internet Options' menu item, and then open the 'Privacy' tab - you can then adjust the slider to block or allow various categories of cookie.
  2. Alternatively by clicking 'Advanced...' you can exercise finer control over the browser's behavior, choosing whether to accept, block, or prompt for cookies originating either on the website you are visiting (first party cookies) or originating from websites other than the one you are visiting (third party cookies, typically used by banner advertisements hosted on an advertiser's website).

Firefox 7.0 and newer

  1. Use the 'Tools->Options' menu item (may be under the Firefox button), then choose the 'Privacy' tab. Set the 'Firefox will:' option to 'Use custom settings for history'.
  2. Now you can choose whether cookies are enabled for websites you visit and third party websites, and if so how long they will persist. You can also use the 'Exceptions' button to override the settings for particular websites.

Internet Explorer, 7 or 8

  1. Click Start > Control Panel. (With Windows XP Classic View, click the Windows Start button > Settings > Control Panel).
  2. Double-click the Internet Options icon.
  3. Select the Privacy tab.
  4. Click Advanced.
  5. Select "Override automatic cookie handling" under the "Cookies" section in the Advanced Privacy Settings window.
  6. Select the "Accept" or "Prompt" option under "First-party Cookies."
  7. Select the "Accept" or "Prompt" option under "Third-party Cookies." (If you select the "Prompt" option, you'll be asked for approval every time a website attempts to send you a cookie.)
  8. In the Internet Options window, click OK to exit.

Internet Explorer 6

  1. Click Start > Control Panel. (With Windows XP Classic View, click the Windows Start button > Settings > Control Panel).
  2. Click Advanced.
  3. Select "Override Automatic Cookie Handling."
  4. Select the "Accept" or "Prompt" option under "First-party Cookies."
  5. Select the "Accept" or "Prompt" option under "Third-party Cookies." (If you select the "Prompt" option, you'll be asked for approval every time a website attempts to send you a cookie.)
  6. In the Internet Options window, click OK to exit.

Mozilla Firefox 3.x for Windows

  1. ck Tools > Options.
  2. Click Privacy in the top panel.
  3. Set "Firefox will:" to Use custom settings for history.
  4. Check the box next to "Accept cookies from sites" to enable cookies.
  5. Click OK.

Mozilla Firefox 2.x for Windows

  1. Click Tools > Options.
  2. Click Privacy in the top panel.
  3. Select the checkbox labeled "Accept cookies from sites."
  4. Click OK.

Mozilla Firefox for Mac

  1. Go to the Firefox drop-down menu.
  2. Select Preferences.
  3. Click Privacy.
  4. Set "Firefox will:" to Use custom settings for history.
  5. Check the box next to "Accept cookies from sites" to enable cookies.
  6. Click OK.

Apple Safari 3

  1. Go to the Safari drop-down menu.
  2. Select Preferences.
  3. Click Security in the top panel.
  4. Under "Accept Cookies" select Only from sites you navigate to

Chrome for Windows

  1. Click the Tools menu.
  2. Select Options.
  3. Click the Under the Hood tab.
  4. Click Content settings in the "Privacy" section.
  5. Select Allow local data to be set to allow both first-party and third-party cookies. If you only want to accept first-party cookies, check the box next to "Block all third-party cookies without exception."

Chrome for Mac

  1. Select Chrome > Preferences on the menu bar.
  2. Click the Under the Hood tab.
  3. Click Content settings in the "Privacy" section.
  4. Select Allow local data to be set to allow both first-party and third-party cookies. If you only want to accept first-party cookies, check the box next to "Block all third-party cookies without exception."

 

Security/firewall/anti-virus software can sometimes affect how browsers handle cookies. Please make sure you have cookies enabled in your software, or add the appropiate domain to your "safe list" of sites.

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