If you spend anytime at all surfing the WWW, then inevitably you are going to receive a lot of "cookies" during the online session. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as some cookies can make it easier to move around the web. An example of that would be the ability to enter a password protected site or a forum page without having to log-in, as the cookie would recognize you.

Some cookies however are unwelcomed, as you did not request them, yet they position themselves on your harddrive, and can potentially compromise your privacy. It is true that you can configure your browswer to always reject cookies, or, to ask you every single time. But always rejecting them will deny you access to some sites, and having to approve every one can get tiresome.

A good alternative approach is to use software to control which cookies to keep and which to reject. We have listed below a number of different software tools which will help you maintain your privacy on the web. They are easy to use, however make sure you read the documentation that comes with each prior to launching!

[NOTE: The programs on this page are for Windows only - if you are working on a Macintosh, click here]

"Burnt Cookies" ... $5. This is a great little program that we use with Windows. It has a number of different setting that you can employ. Basically, it accepts the cookies from the site, then you have the option to zap them prior to reaching your harddrive. Therefore the site thinks you have cookies enabled, when in reality, they are being toasted (thus the name!). The cookies that you want to allow are "fireproofed", so they get through every time.

"Cookie Monster II" We have not used this, but it has been around for awhile, so it seems pretty popular. The only cost is sending the author at least 2 cookies after 15 days of usage (seems reasonable!). In addition to controlling cookies, it will also clear out the browser cache.

"Empty Temp Folders" Helps you manage folders that contain temporary files, left over by other applications. It's easy to add any folder and you can empty a folder (or all folders) with one click. It will also let you list and delete cookies, history files and temporary internet files (this requires MS Internet Explorer version 5+). Really excellent freeware program - we use it in conjunction with Burnt Cookies.