Cookies FAQ: 

What is a Cookie? 
A Cookie is a small string of text that is stored on your PC's hard disk, unless you delete it (or it expires). It is not a computer program, and cannot harm the data on your PC. 

How do I know when I have received a Cookie? 
You need to switch on the 'Alert before accepting Cookies' option in your browser. 

Should I switch on the alert? 
It's up to you. However, increasingly, sites are using more and more Cookies that expire when you switch off your browser; it can become tiresome to see so many alerts. 

What are Cookies for? 
Cookies have two functions. The first is to 'maintain state of an application'. Basically, this means that each time you come back to a site, you begin where you left off. For instance, you may only need to register to enter a site once. The second function is to track your path through the site. 

What does Tracking your Path mean? 
Tracking your path can help the site provider optimise the site, based on popular paths or pages. You may feel that this knowledge of your usage - with which the site provider could set up a profile of your particular habits - is an unwelcome intrusion into your privacy. However, bear in mind that no personally identifiable data is being collected. It only identifies your computer to our servers when you visit our site. 

What is cowtrees's policy? 
First, we never pass statistical data on to third parties. All cowtrees sites that use Cookies explain how they are being used. 

What is cowtrees's use of Cookies? 
Cookies may be used to track your path through a site. They may also be used to identify registered users, allowing members to access registration controlled information. 

Should I delete Cookies? Again, it's up to you. 
If you feel that Cookies are an intrusion into your privacy, you can delete them or turn off cookies in your browser controls. However, we recommend that you do not delete them. This will usually decrease your access to useful information on subsequent visits to the site. 

Can Cookies be stolen from my PC? 
No. The information stored on your PC will only be transmitted to the server that sent them in the first place. 

How do I delete Cookies? 
Go to your Cookies folder, usually called 'Cookies' on your hard drive (C:\windows\Cookies, for example), select them and delete them in the normal way. 

For more information, see http://ciac.llnl.gov/ciac/bulletins/i-034.shtml.

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