A cookie is a small text file which gets stored on your computer when you visit some websites. This file contains information about previous interactions with that site and can be used to store information such as your email address/username so that you don't have to retype them each time you visit the site.

For example, when you visit a cinema website, and select your local cinema, some sites will give your computer a cookie, which details which local cinema you have chosen. When you return to the site at a later date, the site will ask your computer to present any cookies it has given it in the past. From the information contained within the cookie, the site can then present you with your local cinema session times without you having to make a choice.

Cookies are designed to make life easier for computer users however there is some level of risk with storing this information on your computer as certain applications have been designed to take this and use it for other purposes.

For example, if you visit Hotmail and type in your email address, this is stored within a cookie. When you enter another website, it is possible for your email address to be recorded and used for other things such as sending you unsolicited emails.

Enabling Cookies

Enabling cookies within your internet browser allows websites to store small amounts of information on your computer. Typically this is used to save things like login information so you don't have to type in your details every time you visit a site. Some sites require that your computer accept cookies.

Follow the instructions for your internet browser:

security:Internet Explorer (Version 6 or later)
security:Mozilla Firefox (Version 1.5 or later)

Internet Explorer (Version 6 or later)

1. In the menu bar of Internet Explorer, click on Tools
2. Click on Internet Options
3. Click on the Privacy tab
4. Move the Settings slider bar to Medium
5. Click OK

Mozilla Firefox (Version 1.5 or later)

1. In the menu bar of Mozilla Firefox, click on Tools
2. Click on Options
3. Click on Privacy (the padlock icon)
4. Click on the Cookies tab
5. Check the box next to "Allow sites to set Cookies"
6. Click OK

Deleting Cookies

There are a number of applications that are able to clear your cookies to prevent unauthorised use of your personal information by other sources. These can be downloaded from the Westnet Download Vault. Alternatively, you can quite easily delete these cookies manually by following the instructions for your internet browser below:

security:Internet Explorer (Version 5.x and 6.x)
security:Internet Explorer (Version 7 or later)
security:Mozilla Firefox (Version 1 or later)

Internet Explorer (Version 5.x and 6.x)

1. In the menu bar of Internet Explorer, click on Tools.
2. Click on Internet Options.
3. In the Temporary Internet Files area, click Delete Cookies and then click OK.
4. Click OK again to close the Internet Options window.

Internet Explorer (Version 7 or later)

1. In the menu bar of Internet Explorer, click on Tools. If you have trouble locating the menu bar, click the Alt button on your keyboard and the menu bar should appear.
2. Click on Internet Options.
3. In the Browsing history section, click Delete.
4. In the Cookies section, click Delete cookies.
5. Click Yes to delete all cookies in your Temporary Internet Files folder.
6. Click Close to close the Delete Browsing History window.
7. Click OK to close the Internet Options window.

Mozilla Firefox (Version 1 or later)

1. In the menu bar of Mozilla Firefox, click on Tools.
2. Click on Clear Private Data.
3. Check the box next to Cookies.
4. Click the Clear Private Data Now button.

Once you have done this, you will have effectively removed the cookies that were storing your information. This also means you removed the information which may have been in use for positive purposes (i.e. if you delete your cookies, the next time you visit MyEmail or Hotmail etc. it won't remember your username/email address and you will have to retype it again).

To find out how to delete cookies in other web browsers, click here.