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Internet Cookies: Changing Internet Use and Privacy

This document discusses internet cookies and how they work. Cookies are small text files stored on a user's computer that allow websites to track users' browsing habits. A 2000 survey found that only 40% of respondents knew what a cookie was, with most describing it correctly as a file that tracks online activity. Cookies can store usernames, passwords, and shopping cart items to enhance the user experience, but they also raise privacy and security issues if personal information is tracked and shared without permission. The document provides an overview of both the purposes of cookies and some of the potential problems with their use.

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Apoorv Saraf
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56 views12 pages

Internet Cookies: Changing Internet Use and Privacy

This document discusses internet cookies and how they work. Cookies are small text files stored on a user's computer that allow websites to track users' browsing habits. A 2000 survey found that only 40% of respondents knew what a cookie was, with most describing it correctly as a file that tracks online activity. Cookies can store usernames, passwords, and shopping cart items to enhance the user experience, but they also raise privacy and security issues if personal information is tracked and shared without permission. The document provides an overview of both the purposes of cookies and some of the potential problems with their use.

Uploaded by

Apoorv Saraf
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Internet Cookies:

Changing Internet
Use and
Privacy
Created by:
Apurva Swarnkar
MCA IIYr
Enroll. No.07915604412

Why talk about Cookies?


We wanted to choose a topic that we did
not know much about
As a technologically advanced
generation, we use the internet virtually
everyday
We need to know the basics of how
cookies works

Which best describes an


internet cookie?
A) A hacker breaks into your computer
and looks at your files.
B) The telephone number that dials into
an online service.
C) Files downloaded onto your computer
that track your online habits.

Business Week Survey


A) Hacker 6%
B) Phone number 4%
C) Tracking file 75%
D) Didnt know 15%
**This survey was a telephone survey of 1,014 randomly selected adults between March 2
and March 6 of 2000, by Harris Interactive.

Knowing the Basics:


In the Business Week survey in 2000,
only 40% of the randomly selected knew
what an internet cookie was.

**This survey was a telephone survey of 1,014 randomly selected adults between March 2
and March 6 of 2000, by Harris Interactive.

What is a cookie?
A text file which a website can store on
its visitors hard drives
Made up of numbers and letters
Generally, cookies are a simple ID file
Sometimes they can store more
complicated information
Also called name-value pairs

Whats the point?


Sites use cookies to

Track number of visitors


First timers vs. returning visitors
How often the user visits the site

Why?
Frequent Buyer example
$$$ from Advertisers

Where are
cookies?
You can find cookie files on your hard
drive, your C drive.

Mmmm! cookies
They remember usernames for various
sites that require log-in
Also have the option to remember your
passwords for you!

They allow you to shop as you browse


via online shopping carts!
Cookies provide user customization of
sites, like weather.com & msn.com

Bittersweet: the
problems
Multiple users on the same hard drive
Family computer, internet cafes
Credit card fraud

Easily erasable
Throw off sites total counts

Can contain spyware!


Can pass on personal information without
users permission (email address, phone
number, credit card number, etc.)

Life without cookies


Many sites are heavily
dependent on cookies and
may not function well without
them
Some may not function at all

Erasing cookies prevents


visitors from making use of
certain amenities sites offer

Thank you so much!

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