Cookies - What are They?

Cookies are small programs that are used to simulate a continuous connection from a user's computer to a web site. This makes it more convenient for users by allowing them to visit pages within a site without having to re-login with each mouse click. Contrary to popular fears and misconceptions, cookies were not created to spy on or otherwise invade the privacy of Internet users. Cookies do not have the capability of infiltrating a user's hard drive and sneaking away with personal information. The simple function of a cookie is that of helping the user navigate a web site with as little obstruction as possible.

Enabling Cookies in Internet Explorer 6.x

Follow the steps and screen shots below to enable cookie handling in Internet Explorer 6.x.

Step 1.		Click on Tools -> Internet Options from the top menu bar of a browser window
Step 2.		A screen appears with a row of tabs across the top. Select the Privacy tab.
Step 3.		The settings you need to adjust are found under the Advanced options. Click this button to access them.
Step 4.		Set the options so that they match the settings in this screen shot. Once you have done this you simply need to click the OK button to accept this configuration. You may need to close down then re-open Internet Explorer for these changes to take affect.

Enabling Cookies in Netscape

Follow the steps and screen shots below to enable cookie handling in Netscape 6 or 7.

Step 1.		Click on Edit -> Preferences from the top menu bar of a browser window
Step 2.		Select the heading Privacy & Security by double clicking on it.
Step 3.		Next, click on Cookies, and make sure that Netscape is set to "Enable all cookies". Then make sure there is not a checkmark in "Ask me before storing a cookie". Once you have done this you simply need to click the OK button to accept this configuration. You may need to close down then re-open Netscape for these changes to take affect.

[ About AHIMA | Schools/Jobs | Professional Development | HIM Resources | Foundation | Help | Site Map ]

Copyright © 2008 by the American Health Information Management Association. All rights reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced, reprinted, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the association. All contents, including images and graphics, on this Web site are copyrighted by AHIMA unless otherwise noted. You must obtain permission to reproduce any information, graphics, or images from this site. Permission must also be obtained to link to any of AHIMA's Web sites. To request permission, fill out the AHIMA Permissions Request or contact permissions@ahima.org.