A cookie is a text file stored on your computer which is unique to your web browser. It enables a website to remember things like user preferences and shopping basket contents. Websites often use services like google analytics (as outlined above) which also make use of cookies.
What to do if you don’t want cookies to be set
Some people find the idea of a website storing information on their computer or mobile device a bit intrusive, particularly when this information is stored and used by a third party without them knowing. Although this is generally quite harmless you may not, for example, want to see advertising that has been targeted to your interests. If you prefer, it is possible to block some or all cookies, or even to delete cookies that have already been set; but you need to be aware that you might lose some functions of that website.
How to check cookies are enabled on your PC
Google Chrome:
Click on the Spanner icon (top menu in browser) > select Settings
Click the ‘Under the Bonnet’ tab on the left > then select the ‘Content settings’ button
Under the cookies section choose the option that best suits your needs.
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0, 7.0, 8.0:
Click on ‘Tools’ (top menu in browser) > select ‘Internet options’
Click on the ‘Privacy’ tab
Move the privacy slider to the level of privacy you require (Settings above Medium will disable cookies)
Mozilla Firefox:
Click on ‘Tools’ (top menu in browser) > select Options
Then select the Privacy icon
Check or uncheck the option “Tell websites I do not want to be tracked”
Safari:
Click on the Cog icon (top menu in browser) > select the ‘Preferences’ option
Click on ‘Privacy’ tab and choose the option that best suits your needs
How to check cookies are enabled on your Mac
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 on OSX:
Click on ‘Explorer’ at the top of your browser window and select ‘Preferences’ options
Scroll down until you see ‘Cookies’ under Receiving Files
Select the option you require
Safari on OSX:
Click on ‘Safari’ at the top of your browser window and select the ‘Preferences’ option
Click on ‘Security’ then ‘Accept cookies’
Select the option you require
Mozilla and Netscape on OSX:
Click on ‘Mozilla’ or ‘Netscape’ at the top of your browser window and select the ‘Preferences’ option
Scroll down until you see cookies under ‘Privacy & Security’
Select ‘Enable cookies for the originating web site only’
Opera:
Click on ‘Menu’ at the top of your browser window and select ‘Settings’
Then select ‘Preferences’, select the ‘Advanced’ tab
Then select ‘Accept cookies’ option