So why are cookies on a computer? It's hard to imagine the function of cookies when you hear the name. Internet cookies go by several different names: http cookies, tracking cookies, web cookies, cache cookies, browser cookies, computer cookies, web site cookies, and so on.
Internet cookies aren't spyware, malware, viruses or computer programs. They are small text files (4 kilobytes on average) that are sent from your browser to a server.

Its easier to picture an Internet cookie more as a small text
note left on a computer by a web browser for a different
computer to read. For example I might be registered at a
dozen different web sites using a different username and
password at each web site. I would never remember what
username and password went to what web site. If I wrote
that information down on a small note I wouldn't have to
remember. An Internet cookie works in a similar fashion.

Having cookies on a computer isn't necessarily a bad thing. They can store your personal settings about a favorite
website or homepage. Many online shops require that you have cookies enabled on your browser before you can
make purchases.

Some tracking cookies however record your browsing habits. Servers send you ads based on tracking cookie records.
This is why I don't care for tracking cookies Anyone can get a good idea of your Internet browsing habits if they can see the advertisements being sent to you. Something to think about next time someone is standing over your shoulder watching you surf.

If you don't clear cookies regularly you'll collect hundreds of them. Eventually they slow down dial up. Ccleaner (Crap cleaner) is a free system cleaning tool that will safely remove cookies, clear caches and clean up windows registry. Ccleaner is a relatively small download and doable over a dial up connection. You have to manually download new copies of Ccleaner and install them to update. Removing cookies on a computer will make dial up faster and in some cases protect your privacy. System cleaning tools do not remove malware or viruses.

Controlling cookies on a computer