Internet cookies are a passive tool for collecting information. Web surfers no longer have an active roll in selecting when or what information is shared with companies. Cookies have revolutionized the marketing industry by reversing the historical trend of offering consumers incentives for their personal information. Companies no longer have to seek consent to collect information. That’s what their cookies are for.
Cookies are used not just for marketing purposes, but are also designed to remember logins, passwords, areas of interest and preferences to enhance and tailor the online experience for the user. See my article Cookies for Your Firm? for a more in-depth explanation of cookies and their use.
Carol Passero, vice president of operations for Pronto Internet Solutions Corporation, feels that the web surfer should have active, not passive control over cookies. “No matter how cookies are used, control over them should remain with the consumer,” she said. That’s why her company has introduced a product called No More Cookies. This product represents to allow users to selectively delete cookies or authorize that certain cookies be saved from web sites you know and trust. Once authorized, the software recognizes those sites and won’t prompt you again and again about those same cookies.
They offer a free trial on their web site, and thereafter the cost is $9.95 / year licensing fee.
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