Objectives:
The st udent will access the cookie folder.
The student will read a cookie file and determine which site sent it.
*The student will be able to delete cookies.
*The student will be able to change cookie settings.
*Since this is being taught at school, you do not want to delete or change the school settings, just show the students how it can be done.
Viewing a cookie file
To access the cookie folder for Internet Explorer go to Windows Explorer, scroll down to the C drive and click Windows in the C: listing, find the Cookie folder and click, the cookie files will be listed.
To access the cookie folder for Netscape Navigator go to Program Files, click Netscape, then click the Users folder, and scroll down to the Cookie folder and click.
Since this is being done at school, the cookie listing will be very long. This gives students a good indication of the number of cookies that are placed on a school computer everyday. Make students aware that individual profiling is not possible, but aggregate profiling is. Students should see banner ads that are tailored to students.
Once students are in the cookie folder have them identify five or more sites that may be familiar to them. Recognizing the name of the site is very easy.
Next, make sure you have their undivided attention. Tell them that you are only going to explain to them how to delete a cookie file. They are not going to physically delete a file.
Explain to students that they can delete any or all of the cookie files in the folder by highlighting the file and pressing delete. It’s that simple.
Changing cookie settings
Again, tell your students that you are just explaining to them how to change the settings, they are not going to physically change them.
On Internet Explorer select Tools on the main menu bar, click Internet Options, click Security, check the zone to make sure it says Internet (if it doesn’t, change it), then click Custom Level, scroll down until you find the Cookie section. It will say enable, disable or prompt. One of these will be checked.
On Netscape Navigator select Edit from the main menu bar, click Preferences, click Advanced, scroll down to the Cookie section. It will say accept, disable or warn.
Now tell your students if they have a computer at home and are connected to the Internet, they can become the teacher. If their parents do not know about cookies, they can teach them. Tell them to get their parent’s permission before deleting or changing the cookie settings on their computer.
Students learn by doing and learn even more when they teach it to someone else.