Internet Cookies
What are cookies?
Small text files that some websites place on your computer.
Uses
- collect information about the pages you view and your activities on the site
- enable the site to:
- remember your user ID
- offer an online shopping cart
- keep track of your preferences if you visit the website again
The cookie transmits this information back to the website's computer (or server) which generally is the only computer that can read it. You can set your Web browser to warn you about attempts to place cookies on your computer, or to limit the type of cookies you allow.
Two general types
Single-Session cookies
- help with navigation on the website
- only record information during one visit to a website and then are erased
- are enabled by default in order to provide the smoothest navigation experience possible
- are known as Tier 1 technologies under applicable government guidance
- are used on these FTC websites:
FTC Site |
Purpose |
Vendor Involved in Cookie Placement |
Alternative (if you disable cookies) |
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to enable consumers to submit the complaint form |
Lockheed Martin |
You can also register your complaint against a Telemarketer who has violated the Do Not Call rule by calling 1-888-382-1222. |
to provide streamlined navigation and site language selection |
Lockheed Martin |
You can also register your number with the Do Not Call list by calling 1-888-382-1222 from the number you wish to register. |
|
to enable the shopping cart feature |
Sykes
|
You can also order publications by using this web form. |
|
to enable consumers to submit the complaint form to enable a customer satisfaction survey |
Lockheed Martin ForeSee Results |
You can also register your complaint by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP You can also provide feedback regarding www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or share questions or concerns by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP |
|
to enable parties to a Part 3 matter to log-in and electronically file documents |
ICF International |
You can also file documents in paper form in accordance with the FTC Rules of Practice. |
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to enable telemarketers, sellers and other entities accessing the site to move from one secure Web page to another without having to log in to each page |
Lockheed Martin |
For more privacy information regarding the Telemarketer’s Do Not Call site, click here. |
|
https://[case].claimtracker.analytics-inc.com |
to enable redress class members to check on the status of their claim |
Analytics Inc. |
You can also check the status of a claim by calling the appropriate number listed here. |
to enable consumers to post comments on the blog and to enable faster loading of advanced features |
Site hosted by FTC |
You can also provide feedback regarding Alertaenlinea or share questions or concerns by emailing alertaenlinea@ftc.gov. |
|
to enable consumers to post comments on the blog and to enable faster loading of advanced features |
Site hosted by FTC |
You can also share any questions or concerns with the FTC through our traditional communication tools. |
|
to enable a customer satisfaction survey |
ForeSee Results Site hosted by FTC |
You can also provide feedback regarding OnGuardOnline or share questions or concerns by emailing OnGuardOnline@ftc.gov. |
Persistent (Multi-Session) cookies
- stay on your computer and record information every time you visit some websites
- are stored on the hard drive of your computer until you manually delete them from a browser folder, or until they expire, which can be months or years after they were placed on your computer.
- are NOT used on any FTC websites with respect to public users of our sites, but may be used by third party services. For more privacy information regarding each of the third party services currently used by the FTC, click here. Please note that you do not need to use these third party services to communicate and interact with the FTC.
Deleting or Disabling Cookies
To delete single-session cookies, simply close your web browser or turn off the computer's power. The single-session cookies will be deleted automatically.Simply closing your web browser or turning off your computer will not delete multi-session cookies. In order to delete multi-session cookies, you will need to manually delete them through your browser’s settings options. As mentioned previously, FTC websites do not use multi-session cookies, but some third-party services may use these cookies.
You can disable both single-session and multi-session cookies by adjusting the settings on your web browser. For instructions on disabling cookies, click here.
If you choose to disable all cookies, the FTC websites that use single-session cookies may not function properly. But you can still access comparable services and information. For example, if disabling cookies results in the malfunction of the FTC’s DoNotCall.gov website, you can still register your phone number by calling 1-888-382-1222 from the number you wish to register. For more information on how to access information or services through an alternative source, please see the table above.