Browser Cookies: Friend or Foe?

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One of the things most Geek Squad Agents learn shortly after joining is you are now “a target” — for family, friends, neighbors, even completely strangers in need of “free”  technical support.  “Hey, you work for the Geek Squad now, right? Well, I’ve got this problem…” (Comes with the uniform, I guess.)

Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of questions from friends and family about browser cookies. Should I block cookies from my browser? Cookies carry viruses, right? My computer can be taken over by someone else using cookies, right?

The short answer is no, cookies aren’t necessarily bad. In fact, a lot of the things you do on the Web wouldn’t be possible without cookies. “Cookies” are basically little bits of code that a website uses to maintain a session with your browser. It is the browser cookie that makes it possible for you to personalize your Web experience. Without them, you wouldn’t be able set up accounts, shop, bank or any of the more complex activities we all take for granted as part of our browsing experience.

I came across this excellent article about cookies from our friends over at Lifehacker. It’s very informative, and helps clears up some of the popular misconceptions about these little bits of codes (with such a delicious name).

Fact and Fiction: The Truth About Browser Cookies