How do I erase cookies from my computer?  Do I need a software program
to erase cookies?

Hi grandma2002,

There are a couple of ways you can erase cookies from your system. 

They can be deleted manually. This site contains information on how to
delete cookies for those using Internet Explorer 5, Netscape 4 and
Netscape 6, on Windows 98 systems. They can be adapted for later
versions of Windows.
http://www.tinhat.com/internet_cookies/delete_cookies.html

Internet America Tech support gives information on deleting cookies
when using Internet Explorer, Netscape, and Opera. Just click on the
link for your browser and follow the instructions.
http://support.airmail.net/browsers/cookies/

Instructions for deleting cookies from Internet Explorer 6 can be
found at Tinhat.com.
http://www.tinhat.com/internet_cookies/delete_IE6.html

You can also prevent cookies from being accepted by your computer.
Internet Explorer has security settings that allow you to allow or
disallow cookies on your system.
Internet Explorer 5 and Netscape 4 can be found at Tinhat.com.
http://www.tinhat.com/internet_cookies/stop_cookies.html

If you would rather not do it manually, there are several programs
that you can buy to do this for you.

Complete Clean Internet Pro 2.0 erases cookies, cache and history. The
full version costs $29, but a trial version can be downloaded.
http://www.pcmesh.com/index-dat.htm

Cookie Crusher is a program that gives you control over what cookies
are accepted by your system – if any. It also classifies and allows
you to delete existing cookies on your system. The program works with
Windows systems and most browser types.
http://www.thelimitsoft.com/cookie/

Cookiecentral.com has a list of programs available for download that
deal with deleting and preventing cookies. Many are shareware.
http://www.cookiecentral.com/software.phtml?type=pc

If you have a Mac, programs called Cookie Cutter and ScapeGoat will
delete the files for you. Both of these programs are freeware.
http://www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/story/story_1001.html

Download CookieCutter 1.0 here:
http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/3000-2179-858724.html?tag=lst-0-1

Download Scapegoat 1.3 here:
http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/3120-20-0.html?qt=scapegoat&tg=dl-2003

Other sites that may be of use:

Computer Security Store
http://www.computer-security.com/Cookies/cookview.htm

Lycos Network Help
http://help.lycos.com/scripts/mail.cfg/php.exe/enduser/std_adp.php?p_refno=010322-000114

DoubleClick.com: Accepting/Declining Cookies
http://www.doubleclick.com/us/corporate/privacy/privacy/ad-cookie/cookies.asp

MSN Personal Information centre
http://privacy.msn.com/profilemgmt/DelInstructions.asp

Microsoft’s new features to control cookies:
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2000/jul00/07-20cookies.asp

search strategy:

erase cookies+PC
erase cookies+PC
delete cookies

The Mozilla web browser has a very nice feature which allows you to
scroll through stored cookies, delete selected ones, or delete all of
them.  Other web browsers may have a similar feature.

I deleted nearly all the cookies on my previous computer and
imediately found websites were asking me for screen names and
passwords I had forgotton or the web site had forgotton. I ended up
doing the whole signup proceedure again, sometimes repeatedly until I
gave up. Getting rid of cookies didn't solve any problems, but sure
created lots of problems. My present computer has several thousand
cookies, none of which seem to be causing any problems. I use ATT
dialup as my ISP with windows 98. I suspect most of my previous
problems were AOL. I avoid AOL at all costs.  Neil

I don't erase cookies anymore. I share them with others through a
program called cookiecooker
(http://cookie.inf.tu-dresden.de/index_en.html - Note: use the latest
version, 0016)