i have windows xp and aol9...i have adaware..spyware...anti virus and everything to make my pc work correctly....BUT i am forever getting cookies is there a way to stop these getting into my hard drive as i understand they search throw all files

win, September 2004

If you are still paranoid about cookies, you can nuke them easily without using sweeper etc
go to the start button on bottom left, and click on it. This will give a list of things to go onto. Go onto "settings" and then to "control panel" and then "internet options"
Click onto "internet options" and this will give a window which gives you the option of deleting "cookies" and "history".
If you want to you can delete all the temporary internet files completely

Crinkly Dave, September 2004

Win,

You can relax. Cookies can't search through all your files.

Cookies are not something which you need to worry about too much. These files are little lists which the websites you visit leave on your PC. The websites do this so that, were you to visit them again, they can provide thr right service for you.

I'll give you a common example. Most website advertising will place a cookie file on your PC. This file will be a simple record of the Ads you have been shown. The next time you visit the website the cookie file will be read by the website to ensure that the site does not show you the same Ads again.

The reason you will have heard about Cookies in relation to security is that it is possible for a website to read all cookie files, rather than just the file it has left on your PC.

It sounds like you have all the right tools to keep your PC safe. If you ensure that your Browser's Security settings are not too low I shouldn't think that you have much to worry about.

Jason, September 2004