Cookies question...

I have a good Cookie program, but lately I've noticed a few advertising
cookies in my "Temporary Internet Files" folder. I couldn't figure
out why the cookie program wasn't catching them and then I
realized the program only monitors the "Cookies" folder, which
is where most cookies go anyway.

So my question is...does anyone know a way to catch these "sneaky" cookies?

 

all or one of the following...
Spybot
Ad-aware 6.0
SpywareBlaster

(i run them all)



mark

 

Those rascals seem to sneak in, don't they? If using IE, click Tools, Internet Options, Privacy tab. Select Advanced and check "block 3rd party cookies ". That's only a helper. Here's another tool:

http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptcookie.asp

 

Breakout--Are you sure these are real cookies and/or that they are not also in C:\Windows\Cookies? (You can Find real cookies by using Find, type at least part of the name of the cookie into the "Named" field and enter C:\Windows\Cookies into the "Look In" field.)
Real cookies are .txt files, and whenever one goes into C:\Windows\Cookies, a mirror also goes into C:\Windows\Temporary Internet Files.
However, advertisers can also put .js or .vbs executable files into TIF and subdirectories like the alphanumeric folders under Content.IE5. (These do not also go into C:\Windows|Cookies.) They function very similarly to Cookies as far as being able to send info back to the advertisers. And those coming from malware companies can do worse. In fact, I suspect they are used exactly for the purpose of avoiding cookie blockers.
They are also not blocked by using your IE Security measures since they are not cookies. But I believe some can be blocked using the Restricted Sites list, and, if you get exactly the correct URL you can block them using the HOSTS file.
Also SpywareBlaster will often block them and spyware deleters, like Ad-Aware and Spybot, can often delete after a scan.
The best news is that they (unless they really are .txt Cookies) will be deleted whenever you delete your TIF.

 

Breakout--Are you sure these are real cookies

Okay, so these are just "mirrors" and aren't tracking? I checked
and they weren't in the cookies folder. They were .TXT files, but
they didn't show up when I did a search.

Thanks for the links dmz1967,mr.mark. I'll download them and
check it out.

 

Breakout--Thanks for confirming they are .txt files.
Can you determing when you got these .txt files in TIF? (Right click|Properties)
It could be you got them sometime ago and they are still hanging around. If you delete cookies from C:\Windows\Cookies the real cookie goes but the mirror in TIF stays. The "official" way to delete cookies per MS is from the TIF file!! (Don't ask. )
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q278835

 

Hi Welshjim...all the cookies are dated today. So, apparently my
cookie program works fine, I just have the "mirrors" of each one
in my TIF. But, since "file finder" can't see them, I guess their
not really there! Anyways, I always clean out my TIF
each time I get off-line.

 

Breakout--Thanks for posting back. Interesting situation. The writers of CookieWall may like to hear about it.
P.S. Hope these "mirrors" are from legitimate sites.