As you know if you visit certain web sites they will send a 'cookie' to your computer. These are small text files. The purpose of cookies is so that web site can recognize you the next time you return. Perhaps it is a news letter that wants to show you what information is new since your last visit. Perhaps it is a portal site that wants to let you know your local weather based on what you provided as your location.
In and of themselves, cookies are not bad. However it is possible for them to be used for evil instead of bad. To clean out your cookies, in Internet Explorer
Tools > Internet Options > General Tab > Delete Cookies Then click OK and OK
You can also change your settings to block cookies. On Internet Explorer:
Tools > Internet Options > Privacy Tab > Advanced Click on the box 'override automatic cookie handling' Select either Prompt or Block Then click OK and OK
If you select Block then no cookies will be put on your computer. Unfortunately, many sites require cookies. If you select Prompt then you will get a Message Box asking you if you want to allow a cookie. This is a better option. Then if you are trying to access a site that you trust, you can allow the cookie. The downside is that you will be getting many Alerts for cookies. It is very inconvenient. But often convenience and security are in conflict.