Do you know how to delete cookie files from your computer? If not, here are some simple instructions. First of all let us begin by explaining what a cookie is. Cookies are small pieces of text generated by a web server and stored in the computer of an internet user when he or she visits a website that offers cookies. The cookie is a unique identifier that the web server places on the computer hard drive and this allows organisations to store information on the user`s machine and to later retrieve it. There are of course various legitimate and beneficial uses for cookies but due to the potential for abuse it is important that you know how to delete cookies from your computer.

A variety of information can be stored in a cookie file. Some organizations use cookies to track your every move on their site, others store user identification and passwords in order to save repeat visitors having to fill out form information each time they visit. However other organizations may use cookies to profile user habits and browsing habits and that information can then be passed on to others for advertising purposes.

How To Delete Cookie files:

Internet Explorer:
Internet Explorer 6 for Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, and Windows XP

Start Internet Explorer.

1. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options, and then click the General tab.
2. In the Temporary Internet Files section, click Delete Cookies, click OK, and then click OK again.

NOTE: If using an older version of Internet Explorer then you will need to manually delete the cookies from your hard drive as follows:

1. Start Internet Explorer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options, and then click the General tab.
3. In the Temporary Internet Files section, click Settings.
4. Click View Files.
5. On the View menu, click Details.
6. Click the Internet Address column header, and then find the Internet addresses of the cookie files. For example, a cookie Internet address may be named similar to the following name: Cookie:username@websitename.com
7. Click a cookie file, and then press DELETE. If you are prompted to confirm that you want to delete the file, click Yes. Repeat this step for each cookie file.

Firefox:

1. Click the Tools menu followed by Options.
2. Highlight the privacy button.
3. Click the clear button next to the cookies button.
4. Click the clear button next to the cache button.

Irene Graham has written this article for http://www.free-internet-eraser.com where you can learn more about internet privacy issues and how to erase internet files from your computer. Please feel free to use this article in your Newsletter or on your website. If you use this article, please include the resource box.