Cookies are small files that are generated by a Web server and stored on your computer for future access. When you visit some Web sites, a cookie may be placed on your system to track your personal preferences and Web surfing habits through uniquely identifiable information (browsing habits, usernames and passwords, areas of interest, etc.). Some cookies may just track which ads the site displayed while you were there to make sure the site does not display the same ads. Other cookies may store preferences that you set, passwords you create for the site, and information about the pages you visited. Some cookies can be helpful, because they contain user names and passwords that let you log in to a Web site automatically or contain preferences you set for a Web site.