ActivatorDesk(tm) Support System

What is a Cookie? - The most common meaning of "Cookie" on the Internet refers to a small piece of information from a WebServer (i.e. a website) which is stored on your computer in an area called "cache". The next time you visit that website, your Browser checks the cache and if it finds a matching Cookie, sends it to the WebServer. By analysing the Cookie's contents, the WebServer can determine that you are a repeat visitor and provide various features, such as customized content like news on topics of interest, local weather, stock quotes, etc. Cookies are automatically stored on your computer and sent back and forth while you browse.

Are Cookies bad? - Cookies may be very useful (or even required) when you repeatedly visit the same websites like banks, web-based e-mail, online stores or portals that provide personalized features. Cookies allow these websites to "remember" you and whatever information you've provided. This can be a big time saver since you no longer have to retype your personal information, login, password, address, etc. every time you visit.

Unfortunately, web advertisers are using this technology to invisibly track your activities and habits on the Internet. Most of the time, the advertisements you see on websites do not originate from the website that you are currently visiting. Since those images are from different websites, their WebServers can deposit their own Cookies in your computers cache. Every time you visit a website with ads from that same web advertiser, it's recorded. Web Advertisers quickly build a very accurate profile of who you are. If you visit local enterainment or weather sites, they can determine where you live. If you like certain books, shop for clothes, book trips or trade stocks, they can infer your income level, your sex, your personality and more. Imagine how you would feel if every time you left your home, someone followed you around recording everywhere you go and everything you look at. Most people consider this very disturbing and an out-right invasion of personal privacy. If this profile is ever matched with personally identifiable information, then you are truely being monitored on the Internet without your knowledge or consent. This kind of tracking and profiling has already resulted in lawsuits and Congressional hearings.

What is a "Web Bug"? - A "Web Bug" is an image on a webpage that is so small that it can't even been seen. Unlike regular advertisements, these tiny ads are not meant to be seen. They only exist so that web advertisers can deposit Cookies on your computer to track your acitivies and continually enhance and refine your profile.

ActivatorDesk is the first and only internet desktop that enables you to view and take control of your Cookies. You may monitor your Cookies and then decide which Cookies to protect or auto-delete, and how often.

ActivatorDesk separate antitracking feature already blocks the most common tracking Cookies as well as the banner ads and web bugs that generate them. Beside protecting your privacy, this feature will speed up your web browsing since the ads and Cookies are never downloaded to your computer. Not only will most web pages load faster, but they will also appear "cleaner" without all the annoying flashy ads. For more information click more

How to Manage Your Browser Cookies: To manage personal Cookies in ActivatorDesk simply click on the "Cache" button on the Control Bar. To view your Cookies, open (click the + next to the folder) the Cache and Cookies folders (see below). To view the contents of a Cookie simply click on it. (See sample information display below) If you wish to delete the Cookie, use your right mouse button and click (right-click) on the Cookie and select from the menu shown above. (see respective menu guide below) A database list of Cookies is saved so that you will not have to manage them again. Good cookies may be protected and bad cookies may be auto-deleted, so tracking may not occur. ActivatorDesk functions automatically eliminating the annoying popup warnings required by most web-browsers and cookie utilities. This method also permits web pages to initially load 'normally', but may eliminate tracking and profiling over extended periods of time.

What to Delete... and what NOT to Delete: With ActivatorDesk you may elect to receive all cookies or selectively delete Cookies. ActivatorDesk is pre-configured to block the most common ads and cookies. If you wish to delete additional Cookies (see procedure above), ActivatorDesk will provide all available information for you to make an informed decision. (See below)

Sample Cookie View Displayed by ActivatorDesk:
(when a cookie is clicked on in the Cache Control Bar)

Source URL

Cookie:administrator@accendo.com/

Local File Name

C:\WIN\Profiles\Administrator\Cookies\administrator@accendo[2].txt

Last Modified

Fri, Mar 31, 2000 12:51:45

Expires

Mon, Mar 30, 2020 19:00:00

Last Accessed

Mon, May 21, 2001 07:03:25

Last Sync

Fri, Mar 31, 2000 12:51:46

Hit Rate

280

Cookie(s)

Name	AA002
Data	943133221-1117707
Domain & path	accendo.com/
Secure	0

Raw Content

AA002
943133221-1117707
accendo.com/
0
1379041280
30803695
3345555616
29334329
*

Cookie Information - Here is a breakdown and explanation of a typical Cookie's contents as shown by the sample display shown above:

Name - The name of the Cookie
Data - The data stored in the Cookie. The data can be made up of several different values which the Web Server uses to identify you. If this has personally identifiable information, you may want to block and/or delete the Cookie. If it contains your computers name or its IP address, it is probably used to track where you logged onto the Internet.
Domain & path - The domain is the website that deposited the Cookie in your cache. If you see a Cookie from a website that you have never visited or one that is identified only as an IP address (e.g. 123.456.789.0), then it is probably a tracking Cookie. You may want to delete the Cookie.
Secure - Does the Cookie require secure access (0=false, 1=true)
Hit Rate
Raw Data - The actual content of the Cookie file in your Cache.

Privacy Foundation Resources:
"Browser extensions are add-ons that extend the abilities of Web browsers.... are typically free-of-charge, in exchange for clickstream and profile information about the user... science researchers at the Privacy Center at the University of Denver examined such products as: @hoc, AllAdvantage, CueCat, Enfish, Flyswat (NBCi QuickClick), Gator, iChoose, NeoPlanet, Obongo, SurfMonkey, ThirdVoice and Zack. " Richard Smith - Dec 2000

"A Web bug is a graphic on a Web page or in an Email message that is designed to monitor who is reading the Web page or Email message." - Richard Smith's WebBug FAQ

Right-Click Cookie Folder Menu Guide (shown above)

Clear Cookies - Deletes all Cookies (including protected)
Refresh Cookies - Refreshes Cookie tree to show latest cookies
Sort - Sort display tree of cookies by Date, Domain, or File Type

Right-Click Cookie Menu Guide (shown at top of page)

Auto Protect - Prevents accidental deletion of individual cookie
Auto Remove - Always Auto Deletes cookie when exiting program
Delete After.. - Delete Cookie Now, after 1 Day, 1 Month, at Exit deletes Cookie at specified time

Note: To view the status of a cookie, right-click on the cookie and the menu selection checked will show its current status, e.g. 'Auto Protect'. If no check of a menu selecion exists, then the cookie has not been entered into the cookie management database.


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