Information About the Security Alert Message for Cookies in Internet Explorer and Outlook Express

When you use Internet Explorer to gain access to a Web site, you may receive one of the following messages, depending on the version of Internet Explorer that you are using.

Internet Explorer 5 or 5.5

If the Web site is using persistent cookies: If the Web site is using per-session cookies:

Internet Explorer 4.x

Internet Explorer 3.x

This behavior can occur if Internet Explorer is set to warn you before accepting cookies.

To resolve this behavior, follow the steps in the appropriate section for the version of Internet Explorer that you are using.

Internet Explorer 5 or 5.5

Click Yes to accept the cookie or click No to reject the cookie from this Web site. If you want to always accept cookies from any Web site without being prompted, click to select the In the future, do not show this warning check box. You can also click More Info to view the cookie information.

For additional information about how to customize cookie settings, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Internet Explorer 4.x

Click Yes to accept the cookie or click No to reject the cookie from this Web site. If you want to always accept cookies from any Web site without being prompted, click to select the In the future, do not show this warning check box. You can also click More Info to see the cookie information.

To customize your cookie settings in Internet Explorer 4.x:

1. Start Internet Explorer.
2. Click Internet Options on the View menu, and then click the Advanced tab.
3. In the Cookies section, click one of the following options:
   
   
   • Always Accept Cookies
   • Prompt Before Accepting Cookies
   • Disable All Cookie Use
   
   NOTE: The cookie setting that you choose also affects Outlook Express. To stop receiving cookies in Outlook Express, click Disable All Cookie Use.
4. Click OK.

Internet Explorer 3.x

To disable cookie warnings:

1. Start Internet Explorer.
2. Click Options on the View menu, and then click the Advanced tab.
3. Click to clear the Warn Before Accepting Cookies check box.
4. Click OK, and then click OK again.

NOTE: You cannot disable all cookie use in Internet Explorer 3.x.

Web servers use cookies to store and retrieve information about your computer by using Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). This information can include any information that can be transmitted by using the HTTP protocol (for example, your computer's Internet Protocol [IP] address, your operating system, your browser type, the referring page, the number of repeat visits to a page) or your personal preferences for that Web site (for example, if you choose to display local weather on your MSN, The Microsoft Network, Start page or if you choose to have a Web site remember your password when you return to that site).

Custom Pages

The MSN custom page is an example of a large cookie. After you select the options that you want for your page, the server writes that information in your cookie to retrieve when you visit the page later.

Shopping

If you visit a site that has a shopping cart feature in which you can store items that you want to purchase, a cookie tracks what you put in the cart. If you need to leave the site and come back later, your shopping cart contains the same items that you placed it before you left the site.

Tracking

A cookie can track repeat visits to a page.

Cookies are saved in the Windows\Cookies folder in the Username.txt file, where Username is your user name on that site. The name of the file may vary depending on the name of the current user, the name of the user for whom the cookie is written, and the different pages that offer cookies to your computer.

How to View Cookies That You Have Accepted

Internet Explorer 4.x, 5, or 5.5

1. On the View menu, click Options or Internet Options.
2. On the General tab, click Settings.
3. Click View Files.

Internet Explorer 3.x

1. On the View menu, click Options.
2. On the Advanced tab, click View Files.

Security Issues

When you accept a cookie, Web sites do not gain access to your computer or any personal information about you (including your e-mail address), other than the information that you specify in the customized settings for that Web site (including any information that you typed in forms on the Web site). Cookies can be read by only the server that created the cookie.