The main purpose of cookies is to identify users and possibly prepare customized Web pages for them. When you enter a Web site using cookies, you may be asked to fill out a form providing such information as your name and interests. This information is packaged into a cookie and sent to your Web browser which stores it for later use. The next time you go to the same Web site, your browser will send the cookie to the Web server. The server can use this information to present you with custom Web pages. So, for example, instead of seeing just a generic welcome page you might see a welcome page with your name on it.

Click Here to check if your browser is set up to allow cookies

How to enable cookies

To enable cookies in your browser, do the following:

Internet Explorer 6

Choose Tools | Internet Options from the menu. On the Internet Options screen, select the Privacy tab. On the Privacy tab, press the Advanced button. In the Advanced Privacy Settings dialog box, check the "Override automatic cookie handling" box and select the "Accept" option under "First-party Cookies." Press OK on the Advanced Privacy Settings and Internet Options dialog boxes to save your changes.

Internet Explorer 5

Choose Tools | Internet Options from the menu. On the Internet Options screen, select the Security tab. On the Security tab, select the "Internet" zone and press the Custom Level button. In the Security Settings dialog box, select the "Enabled" options under both "Allow cookies that are stored on your computer" and "Allow per-session cookies (not stored)." Press OK on the Security Settings and Internet Options dialog boxes to save your changes.

Internet Explorer 4

Choose View | Internet Options from the menu. On the Internet Options screen, select the Advanced tab. Scroll though the list of options until you see the yellow exclamation point next to the word "Cookies". Select the "Always Accept Cookies" option just bellow the Cookies heading. Press OK to save your changes.

Internet Explorer 3

Choose View | Options from the menu. On the Options screen, uncheck the 'Warn before accepting "cookies" box'. Press OK to save your changes.

Netscape 6

Choose Edit | Preferences from the menu. On the Preferences screen, click the triangle next to "Privacy & Security" to drop down additional items. Click on the "Cookies" item and select "Enable cookies for the originating web site only" option. Press OK to save you changes.

Netscape 4

Choose Edit | Preferences from the menu. On the Preferences screen, click the Advanced item and select Accept All Cookies on the right of the screen. Press OK to save you changes.

Netscape 3

Choose Options | Network Preferences from the menu. On the Preferences screen, select the Protocols tab and make sure the "Accept a Cookie" box is unchecked. Press OK to save you changes.