Understanding Cookies

[PT]

1. I visit a number of sites on a regular basis. Many require a login.
Once I've entered the login information, the site creates a cookie in the
cookie cache so that I don't have to log in on subsequent visits. So far -
I follow the process.

2. Now, periodically I like to flush out all the other hundreds of cookies
which sites have dropped into my cookie cache. But I want to retain the
cookies for the sites I set up in step 1. But they are sccattered in the
listing of hundreds of useless cookies.

So here's what I tried. I created a folder called "Cookies-Hold". Into it,
I manually copied the cookies from the desired sites. Then, several weeks
later, when I flush all the cookies in the cache, I recopy the held cookies
back into the main cookie cache. Seems logical to me that I should still be
able to log in to those sites without problems. But in fact, these sites
behave as though I was logging in as a new user. In other words, the old
cookies don't do the job.

Does this have to do with the dating of the cookies? In other words,
Suppose Web Site XX placed its initial cookie on my system on January 1, and
then later on March 5, I delete all the cookies in the cache and replace the
site's cookie with the one it created on January 1. Will that old cookie
not work?

Is there an easier way to accomplish what I want - namely to be able to
flush the cookie cache while retaining selected cookies?

 

[Spirit]

Try this excellent FREE utility :

http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptcookie.asp

 

[Leonard Grey]

There are zillions of cookie managers on the web, most of them free,
that will do what you want. Go ye forth and search the web.

And when ye download a cookie manager, scanneth it for viruses before ye
install!

[P.S. What seems logical to a human being is often inane to a computer.
Computers work the way they were programmed, whether it makes sense or not.]

 

[Tom Willett]

Cookies have nothing to do with Microsoft Word.

| 1. I visit a number of sites on a regular basis. Many require a login.
| Once I've entered the login information, the site creates a cookie in the
| cookie cache so that I don't have to log in on subsequent visits. So
far -
| I follow the process.
|
| 2. Now, periodically I like to flush out all the other hundreds of
cookies
| which sites have dropped into my cookie cache. But I want to retain the
| cookies for the sites I set up in step 1. But they are sccattered in the
| listing of hundreds of useless cookies.
|
| So here's what I tried. I created a folder called "Cookies-Hold". Into
it,
| I manually copied the cookies from the desired sites. Then, several weeks
| later, when I flush all the cookies in the cache, I recopy the held
cookies
| back into the main cookie cache. Seems logical to me that I should still
be
| able to log in to those sites without problems. But in fact, these sites
| behave as though I was logging in as a new user. In other words, the old
| cookies don't do the job.
|
| Does this have to do with the dating of the cookies? In other words,
| Suppose Web Site XX placed its initial cookie on my system on January 1,
and
| then later on March 5, I delete all the cookies in the cache and replace
the
| site's cookie with the one it created on January 1. Will that old cookie
| not work?
|
| Is there an easier way to accomplish what I want - namely to be able to
| flush the cookie cache while retaining selected cookies?
|
|
| --
|
| PT
|
|

 

[Kayman]

Is there an easier way to accomplish what I want - namely to be able to
flush the cookie cache while retaining selected cookies?

http://www.ccleaner.com/download/

 

[Ayere]

I believe that the reason you have to 'start over' is that when you flush
the cookies, you also reset the system file 'index.dat' (it's hidden). So,
even when you move the saved cookies back, index.dat doesn't 'register' it
(this is my theory anyway...).

The best way I have found to manage cookies is to override auto cookie
handling, blocking all cookies. You can then 'white list' the sites you want
to allow cookie placement for.

You can do so by:

1) Control Panel\Internet Options|Privacy tab
2) Click on the Advanced button bar
3) in the resulting window, make sure that the 'Block' radio button is
selected in both columns. Click OK.
4) Again in the privacy tab, click 'Sites". In the resulting dialog, you can
add the sites for which you require cookies.

You can also add sites on-the-fly by first going to the site, then, in the
status bar at bottom, double click on the 'eye' (the tool tip will read
'Privacy Report'). A list of sites that have tried to put a cookie on your
machine in the current session. You can right click on the site you wist to
add and choose allow, block or default.

This is the best way I have found to manage cookies, and beats 3rd party
cookie managers hands down. Plus, it has the added benefit of being free.

Ayere

 

[JoAnn Paules]

The only Word that applies to cookies is MORE!!!

--

JoAnn Paules
Microsoft MVP - Publisher

How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

Others have given you the obvious workaround possibilities, but in answer to
your question... There is a index.dat file that is part of the Cookies
system -- it lists the Cookies in the folder. When you delete Cookies in the
usual way, that list is blanked out. If the Cookie isn't listed there, the
website can't find it.

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

I also use Advanced cookie handling, blocking third-party cookies, allowing
per-session cookies, and Prompting for first-party cookies. When you get the
prompt, you can refuse or allow, and also make the decision permanent (or
not). Making that decision adds the cookie to the list you're talking about.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

I believe that the reason you have to 'start over' is that when you flush
the cookies, you also reset the system file 'index.dat' (it's hidden). So,
even when you move the saved cookies back, index.dat doesn't 'register' it
(this is my theory anyway...).

The best way I have found to manage cookies is to override auto cookie
handling, blocking all cookies. You can then 'white list' the sites you
want to allow cookie placement for.

You can do so by:

1) Control Panel\Internet Options|Privacy tab
2) Click on the Advanced button bar
3) in the resulting window, make sure that the 'Block' radio button is
selected in both columns. Click OK.
4) Again in the privacy tab, click 'Sites". In the resulting dialog, you
can add the sites for which you require cookies.

You can also add sites on-the-fly by first going to the site, then, in the
status bar at bottom, double click on the 'eye' (the tool tip will read
'Privacy Report'). A list of sites that have tried to put a cookie on your
machine in the current session. You can right click on the site you wist
to add and choose allow, block or default.

This is the best way I have found to manage cookies, and beats 3rd party
cookie managers hands down. Plus, it has the added benefit of being free.

Ayere

 

[JoAnn Paules]

Hi Gary!

Don't see you around much. Hope all is going well for you.

--

JoAnn Paules
Microsoft MVP - Publisher

How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

I also use Advanced cookie handling, blocking third-party cookies, allowing
per-session cookies, and Prompting for first-party cookies. When you get
the prompt, you can refuse or allow, and also make the decision permanent
(or not). Making that decision adds the cookie to the list you're talking
about.

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

Gettin' along, JoAnn, just gettin' along, ;-)

 

[Shauna Kelly]

Hi

Bear in mind that CCleaner has been implicated in deleting users' settings
in Word because, at least in its default setup, it seems to delete the Word
Data registry key:
http://groups.google.com.au/groups?..._oq=&as_eq=&as_ugroup=microsoft.public.word.*

Hope this helps.

Shauna Kelly. Microsoft MVP.
http://www.shaunakelly.com/word

 

[Kayman]

Hi

Bear in mind that CCleaner has been implicated in deleting users' settings
in Word because, at least in its default setup, it seems to delete the
Word Data registry key:
http://groups.google.com.au/groups?..._oq=&as_eq=&as_ugroup=microsoft.public.word.*

Yeah, ...and if Windows Defender is installed go to Applications, under
Utilities uncheck "Windows Defender"

 

[Smirnoff]

1. I visit a number of sites on a regular basis. Many require a
login. Once I've entered the login information, the site creates a
cookie in the cookie cache so that I don't have to log in on
subsequent visits. So far - I follow the process.

2. Now, periodically I like to flush out all the other hundreds of
cookies which sites have dropped into my cookie cache. But I want to
retain the cookies for the sites I set up in step 1. But they are
sccattered in the listing of hundreds of useless cookies.

So here's what I tried. I created a folder called "Cookies-Hold".
Into it, I manually copied the cookies from the desired sites. Then,
several weeks later, when I flush all the cookies in the cache, I
recopy the held cookies back into the main cookie cache. Seems
logical to me that I should still be able to log in to those sites
without problems. But in fact, these sites behave as though I was
logging in as a new user. In other words, the old cookies don't do
the job.

Does this have to do with the dating of the cookies? In other words,
Suppose Web Site XX placed its initial cookie on my system on January
1, and then later on March 5, I delete all the cookies in the cache
and replace the site's cookie with the one it created on January 1.
Will that old cookie not work?

Is there an easier way to accomplish what I want - namely to be able
to flush the cookie cache while retaining selected cookies?

I use CookieWall. Straightforward interface. Lists current cookies and
allows you to save what you want. Also, has an option to block/delete
unwelcome stuff.
http://www.analogx.com/contents/download/network/cookie.htm

 

[Bob Lucas]

I use Cookie Monster v3.32, which enables me to designate specific
cookies as "preserved" - and delete the dross. It is a freeware
package, which is available from
http://www.ampsoft.net/utilities/CookieMonster.php.

McAfee Security Suite and Spybot have not identified any problems with
Cookie Monster.

My operating system is Win XP (SP2). I use IE7 as my default browser.
I have also installed Netscape 8.1.3 - which I use for access to any
website that doesn't work well with Internet Explorer.

IE7 seems to store some cookies in C:\Documents and Settings\{My User
Name}\Cookies. It stores other cookies in C:\Documents and Settings\{My
User Name}\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files.

I have discovered one limitation of Cookie Monster with IE7.

The utility lists and manages Netscape cookies, stored in C:\Documents
and Settings\{My User Name}\Application Data\Netscape\NSB\Profiles. It
also lists and manages IE7 cookies, stored in the C:\Documents and
Settings\{My User Name}\Cookies folder.

I have discovered that Cookie Monster does not detect IE7 cookies in the
Temporary Internet Files Folder.

Does anybody know:

a) Why IE7 stores cookies in two different places?

and

b) Whether it is possible to change the default location for the
cookies store in IE7 ? (I would prefer IE7 to store all cookies in
C:\Documents and Settings\{My User Name}\Cookies.)