If your computer is gobbling up a big batch of "cookies" each day, you may want to put it on a stricter diet.

Details: The identification numbers that track the activities on Web sites you visit--known as cookies--are commonly passed on to your computer. A Web site that places a cookie keeps a database of all the computers visiting that particular site. While some sites track their cookies internally, others track your cookies, mainly for advertising purposes, wherever you travel on the information highway.

Note that cookies are not always bad for you. For example, if a particular Web site tracks your activities, it may offer goods or services similar to the offerings you have investigated before. This may simplify or even improve your online shopping habits.

Conversely, you might prefer to use your computer without this intrusion. In that case, you may refuse cookies or request notification of their presence from Web sites that you visit. Depending on the site, your access may be restricted when you make this choice.