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The Cookies You Can’t Eat 网络上的另类饼干

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When most people hear the word cookie, they picture a doughy treat that tastes great with a cold glass of milk. But in the world of computers, a cookie is something completely different. It’s a piece of text that stores users’ preferences and also details about which sites they like to visit. In fact, every time you visit a website, chances are you’re sending some information to web servers via a cookie that is stored by your computer’s browser. This may include your location, how long you stay on the site, and which web pages you have clicked on.

大部分人听到Cookie一字，会马上联想到那个配着冰牛奶会很好吃的面团点心。但在计算机世界中，Cookie代表完全不同的事物。它是储存使用者偏好的文本文件，并详记使用者喜欢浏览的网站。事实上，你每次造访一个网站，就有可能透过计算机浏览器储存的Cookie将一些信息传送给网络服务器，而这些信息包含你的所在地、在这个网站上停留的时间与你曾点选的网页。

The information contained in these cookies is valuable to many third parties. Researchers can use this data to study people’s online browsing habits. Companies are willing to pay for this info, and they use it to learn more about their customers and boost product sales. Unfortunately, if cyber-criminals get hold of this data, they can use it for malicious means, such as stealing credit card information, passwords, or someone’s entire identity.

Cookie里存放的信息对第三者很有用。研究员可利用该资料来调查人们网上的浏览习惯。公司行号愿意花钱购买这类信息，因这类信息可用以了解消费者并藉此提升产品销售。不幸的是，网络罪犯如掌握此类信息可将之用于不好的用途，如窃取信用卡信息、密码，甚至某人的身份。

With a little computer savvy, however, you can nip these threats in the bud. Internet Explorer, Firefox, and other popular browsers all allow you to erase your cookies and delete this data. Or, you can adjust your browser to accept cookies from a few safe sites while blocking all others. While it may be next to impossible to maintain complete anonymity online, everyone can take a few quick precautions to hide their tracks from prying eyes. By managing your cookies carefully, you can keep your privacy in check.

但凭借一些计算机知识，你仍可防患未然。IE网络浏览器、火狐与其他常见的浏览器都可让你清除Cookie并进而删除存于其中之资料。或者你也可以调整浏览器设定，接受少数安全网站的Cookie，并阻挡其他网站的Cookie。维持百分之百的网上匿名已几乎不可能，但每个人仍可采取一些预防措施来避开别人的窥探。如仔细管理好你计算机里的Cookie，你就能为自己的隐私把关。

－by Jamie Blackler

Vocabulary

单词发音

preference [ˋprɛfərəns] n.〔一组东西中〕最喜欢的东西; 偏爱的事物

server [ˋsɝvɚ] n.【计算机】服务器

valuable [ˋvæljʊəb!] adj. 贵重的; 有用的，有价值的

browse [braʊz] v. 浏览，随便翻阅

cyber- [ˋsaɪbɚ] pref. 字首, 表示电脑的，自动控制的

get hold of 得到, 获得; 找到

malicious [məˋlɪʃəs] adj. 怀恶意的, 恶毒的

nip [nɪp] in the bud 防患于未然，防微杜渐 to stop (something) before it can develop or mature

erase [ɪˋres] v. 擦掉，抹去

adjust [əˋdʒʌst] v. 调整

precaution [prɪˋkɔʃən] n. 预防措施

pry [praɪ] v. 窥探；窥视

keep (someone or something) in check 制止...；牵制.. to keep someone or something under control; to restrain someone or something

More Information

单词发音

doughy [ˋdoɪ] adj. 面团的；糊状的

treat [trit] n.〔给某人的〕特别待遇, 款待; 招待 something, such as one's food or entertainment, that is paid for by someone else

browser [ˋbraʊzɚ] n.【计算机】浏览器

savvy [ˋsævɪ] n.【非正式】实际知识和能力

next to impossible 几乎不可能 almost impossible; very, very difficult

anonymity [͵ænəˋnɪmətɪ] n. 匿名; 不公开姓名

Reading Questions

1.  What is the major benefit to managing your cookies?

A.  You can share more information with your friends.

B.  You can keep your online activities a secret.   

C.  Your computer will start up more quickly.

D.  The performance of many programs will improve.

2.  Which of the following is NOT true about cookies?

A.  Some companies use them to learn more about their customers.

B.  They contain information about how often users visit a website.

C.  They are similar in some ways to the cookies we eat for dessert.

D.  Computer experts may study them to learn about users’ behavior.

3.  What would be another good title for this article?

A.  Cookies That Melt in Your Mouth and Not in Your Hands

B.  Cookies and the Data Stored on Them

C.  Step-By-Step Instructions for Clearing Your Cookies

D.  The Secrets of Computer Hacking Are Finally Revealed

What is a cookie?

Answer