Java Script

After making a search for *.js files, I found lots of them in my computer.

Most of them are in Temporary Internet Files

I'd like to ask some questions:

1) What do they do? In which way are they different from cookies?

2) Is it safe to delete them?

3) When in IE, Internet Options, I click on the button "delete cookies ", are also the JavaScript files deleted?

4) Does Disk Cleanup remove them?

Thank you very much,

 

"1) What do they do? In which way are they different from cookies? "

JavaScript is Netscape's cross-platform, object-based scripting language for client and server applications. JavaScript lets you create applications that run over the Internet. Using JavaScript, you can create dynamic HTML pages that process user input and maintain persistent data using special objects, files, and relational databases

"2) Is it safe to delete them? "

Yes, if they are in temp internet folder. If in an application folder, best leave them alone.

"3) When in IE, Internet Options, I click on the button "delete cookies ", are also the JavaScript files deleted? "

No.

"4) Does Disk Cleanup remove them? "

Yes, if you choose the option to delete temporary internet files.

 

Thanks a lot, Abraxas. Now, you write:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
JavaScript is Netscape's cross-platform, object-based scripting language for client and server applications. JavaScript lets you create applications that run over the Internet. Using JavaScript, you can create dynamic HTML pages that process user input and maintain persistent data using special objects, files, and relational databases
----------------------------------------------------------------------
But then, are they collecting and sending data from my machine?
Are they some kind of spyware?

I had a program which with I could filter JavaScript files, but many sites wouldn't open, if I rejected their Scripts. So it seems that they are imposed to me and there is no way to stop them so long as I want to visit the site. I am right?

And a second question: how can I know who sent them to me, and what is the kind data they gather? I tried to read the content of the files, to no avail, and some I succeeded, but those which are in TIF Notepad won't open them.

TIA,
haim

 

JS security could be a long discussion. Scripts can contain cookies (CookieCop from www.pcmag.com can be configured to scan js for cookies). But wihout scripting, your internet experience will be much reduced.

JS and security article here:
http://users.iclway.co.uk/jpress/papers/js-sec.html

It is important to note that there is nothing absolutely secure and the vast majority of scripts, particularly from trusted sites, are safe. Look at your security options under Custom settings in Internet Options to be prompted about scripts, if you wish.