Need help with a "cookie" situation

[jim.t]

I noticed I have been getting considerable build up of cookie entries in some of these files:

c:\windows\cookies
c:\windows\cookies\xxxx@cookies.cmpnet[1].txt
c:\windows\recent\cookies.txt
c:\windows\recent\xxxx@cookies.cmpnet[1].txt
c:\program files\common files\ real\common\cookies.txt
c:\program files\netscape\users\ default\cookies.txt

Can I delete the entries from these files without creating any problems? They don't seem to go away when I clear cache/history from both browsers.

[Dokeman]

Yes, it is safe to delete all cookies. When you go to a web site and it remembers who you are.. like when you register at yahoo or something, and later on when you go back to the site and you are already loggd in, thats because of cookies. So, yea its safe to delete them, but you will have to log on again when you go back to the site. (no big deal though)

[Dokeman]

Yes, it is safe to delete all cookies. When you go to a web site and it remembers who you are.. like when you register at yahoo or something, and later on when you go back to the site and you are already loggd in, thats because of cookies. So, yea its safe to delete them, but you will have to log on again when you go back to the site. (no big deal though)

[This message has been edited by socalgal (edited 06-07-2001).]

[jansson_markus]

To be more precise, dont delete cookies.txt file for Netscape!!! Just open it and delete the cookie references and save it. Netscape doesnt like if you delete it.

BTW. I have a small .bat program that deletes the content (including index.dat files) of ALL history information when I boot. Should I post it?

[jim.t]

Sure, why not..unless it's not tested and proven software.

How about the \Windows\Cookies folder? Looks like there's a cookie for every site I went to for a couple of years.

[This message has been edited by jim.t (edited 06-07-2001).]

[jansson_markus]

Jim.t:

You would be AMAZED to know what stuff Windows and IE records and how and why!!! Aaarrrghhh!!!!!! Thank god I have properly configured and plugined WindowsWasher!!!

But you can safely delete EVERY single cookie there is, also, Im posting here the two post I made earlier how to help protect your IE privacy and security... here they go:

TIP ONE for Index.dat and other log files
-----------------------------------------
Index.dat files contain information about websites you have visited, things you have done, cookies you have received, etc. etc. And, they DONT DELETE WHEN YOU CLEAR YOUR TEMPORARY FILES! This is because Windows lock those files. They need to be cleared BEFORE it has a chance of doing that.
So here's my receipe (also concider deleting your "Downloaded programs files" folder with this one):

1. Make file xxx.bat (use notepad etc.) and write into it (this is for
default folders, adjust if needed) the stuff below. Remember that if you install something, cleaning the "temp" folder like this might cause troubles, so concider twice whether or not keep it in running always...
deltree /Y c:\windows\history\
deltree /Y c:\windows\cookies\
deltree /Y c:\windows\tempor~1\
deltree /Y c:\windows\applog\
deltree /Y c:\windows\recent\
deltree /Y c:\windows\temp\

2. Save it in c:\

3. Open "My computer" and pick that "xxx.bat". Then chooce "properties",
"program" and enable "close on exit". .

4. Run Regedit, and go to
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Run"
and "new - string value" [name it to:"xxx"], set its value to
"c:\xxx.bat".

5. Close and restart. Now every time your Windows starts, it will (just
before Windows locks those files) delete all data in those folders and close
that MS-DOS window. TA-DAA!!!!!

TIP TWO to protect your privacy and security
--------------------------------------------
My tips to your IE settings:
- General / settings / every visit to page
- General / days to keep history / 0
- Security / internet / disable ALL active-X (you can add sites where you REALLY need them to your "trusted sites"), cookies that are stored to your computer -disable, per-session cookies -allow, Java permissions - high safety, Installation of desktop items -disable, Software channel permissions - high safety, Userdata persistance - disabled, Active Scripting - disabled, User authentication -prompt for user name / password.
- Content / autocomplete -disable ALL (remember to clear both passwords and forms NOW)
- Advanced / disable following: Install on demand, Offline items to be synchronized, Use inline autocomplete, Profile assistant, Fortezza, PCT, SSL2.
- Advanced / Make sure you have the following enabled: Use http1.1, JIT complier for virtual machine, Check for publishers certificate revocation, Check for server certificate revocation, Do not save encrypted pages to disk, Empty temporary internet files when browser is closed, SSL3, TLS, Warn about invalid site certificates, Warn if forms submittal is being redirected.

That should keep you pretty safe... IF and ONLY if you keep updating your Windozer... (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/)

Oh yeah, and GET a firewall, ZoneAlarm is the-facto (www.zonelabs.com) and, its FREE!

Markus

[jim.t]

Thanks Markus...looks like some good stuff...good detailed explanations too. I've got ZA and swear by it. I'm running a Maxgate router, so I rarely get any hits to ZA. Thanks for all the info...I'll try that soon. Jim.

[jansson_markus]

Nice to know you actually are taking my words of wisdom... If you would install a good antivirus (like Norton or F-Secure) and use PGP, then you "could" be safe. Otherwise that gives you average protection... http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

...which is 500x more than 95% of internet users have... http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif

But, remember to UPDATE!!!!!

[jim.t]

I had Norton AV, but I got rid of it and loaded up InoculateIT. Norton is getting as bad as MS for resource hogging.

BTW, when you said to create "xxx.bat" file, did you mean as it's stated and along with the autoexec.bat file? In otherwords, when the system starts, both bat files will run...correct? I don't like the idea of not being able to get to a file that's recording my activity. Netscape's not bad. I can wipe most of that stuff out...but not MS.

[jansson_markus]

The autoexec.bat will run just when you boot up. Its system default. This xxx.bat runs when Windows is almost loaded because Windows loads it, not the system... The fact that they are both .bat -files is just a coincidence.

Netscape is good, but if you want really secure and easy and FAST browser, use Opera! Its great! Just click ONE BUTTON and it deletes ALL private data on the spot. Netscape is good, but there's always the trounle with its cookies since you have to manually delete them inside the cookies.txt -file...

[jim.t]

Ok, thanks. I'll try it. I really need this for work, so I'm not tracked so easily.