Spyware and Adware - Are Cookies Spyware?

SUMMARY: How problematic are cookies, really? Do they spread viruses? Do cookies crash your machine?

When some people discuss spyware and adware they also include cookies. This is common when you hear people talk about spyware removal programs removing dozens, if not hundreds, of pieces of 'spyware' on a machine. If someone has removed 100 cookies from their machine does that mean they have removed 100 different spyware applications?

Cookies are not full-blown applications. They are merely small text files that contain information about someone visiting a particular website or set of websites. Cookies alone do not create pop-up windows, nor do they infect your machine with viruses. The only risk of certain types of cookies such as tracking cookies is privacy. These types of cookies can monitor your behavior over certain websites. They may be used, for example, by advertisement networks to better target what ads you should see based on your browsing behavior.

Some cookies may actually be beneficial. Various websites keep track of login information via cookies, meaning that you may not have to re-enter login credentials when visiting a particular site. Plus, some cookies may store personalization information. As long as nobody else has access to your machine and data, these types of cookies should be ok.

I'm not suggesting you not remove tracking cookies; in fact, you can tell web browsers to reject all cookies or only allow certain cookies to be set on your machine. Just don't get too worried if you run an adware/spyware scan and all it finds on your machine are cookies.