any way to find out if WhiteHouse.gov plants cookies in vistors computers?

[librechik]

That would be diabolical--but no different than lots of places where I shop, I suppose. This snooping is just everywhere. You know how the Carlyle group bought USDEX? I always thought it was so they could get all our information --in order to better sell us war and things.

[DS1]

1. visit whitehouse.gov

[MazeRat7]

2. "Session" cookies are a good thing... be specific about your fear.

Not to mention that cookies aren't "planted"... acceptance or rejection of cookies is completely up the to user.

MZr7

[liveoaktx]

4. Yes, and session cookies are what the WH site is supposed to use

Good question for the AP- in this article, somehow the AP found out about it and then told the White House.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051229/ap_on_hi_te/white_house_bug_1

[librechik]

5. I guess I'm afraid that they put something that tracks my internet use

etc if I ever visit there. You know, like they could say that terrorists were trying to get information about the layout and schedules at the WH, so that would justify tracking visitors to see if any of them turn out to be terrorists, just in case. And i fear they would do this without telling you or asking permission.

I'm not great on technical stuff, and I guess "session cookies' are ok, but don't they usually ask before you let them put the cookie there? More or less?

[Neil Lisst]

3. Any time I go to any site I don't trust, I check cookies afterward

And dump any I don't like. If I'm really concerned, I run my spyware program, which I run at least twice a day anyway.

You should know every cookie on your system.

[bullimiami]

6. i cleared my cookies and browsed a bunch of links there.

didnt find any new ones.

[librechik]

7. Yeah, me too

Geez, I had too many cookies!

Guess we're safe for the moment from WH.gov.

Thanks for all the advice, everyone!

[formercia]

8. I have multiple user accounts on my computer for different

tasks. even if they set cookies, it will be an account for just looking at their site. I love UNIX, an operating system for grownups and those that dream to be one someday.

[kineneb]

12. I checked

the cookies file, but as a happy Linux user, there wasn't anything of importance there. I cleaned out the file to only the ones I recognized. I somehow don't think spyware is being written to run on the various desktops available with Linux. I love open source.

[formercia]

15. and even fewer on UNIX

that doesn't mean you can't be touched. Always keep your guard up. As long as you can stay online and do your part, it really doesn't matter.

[fooj]

9. Ok. I'm technically challenged...

How do you clear your cookies? LOL! That sounds too funny.

Peace.

[librechik]

10. go to" tools" and then "options" in your browser

or sometimes it's preferences--then look at Privacy --it should have cookies stuff in there--I finally figured it out!

[fooj]

11. Thanks!

:hi:

[FreedomAngel82]

13. Carlyle also bought Dunkin Donuts

I didn't know they were still around. We used to have a shop down the road here, but they're not there anymore. Now it's Krispy Kreme I believe. I used to love love their donuts (Dunkin).

[librechik]

14. soon to be known as Soylent Greenies, under the new management

joke--joke--

(I hope)

[Matariki]

16. have a look at this thread

all about what cookies are (and what they CAN'T do):

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5713473