What is a Cookie Cleaner?
In 1995, when Netscape first designed and implemented cookie functionality into its browser, there were no cookie controls available. Cookies were automatically enabled by default. Watchdog groups soon learned that cookies were being used for invasive purposes and third party software sprung up to address the issue. Enter the cookie cleaner. The first versions of cookie cleaner programs merely deleted all cookies that were found on the hard drive at boot-up, or alternately at shut down. They did not prevent cookies from being set, or placed on the computer, nor were they configurable to any great degree. Cookie cleaner functionality of this type was built into many utility programs as a bonus feature, but some found it inconvenient because useful cookies were deleted along with unwanted cookies. Soon, the cookie cleaner became more of a cookie manager, incorporating greater control over cookies. Arguably the most popular and comprehensive award-winning cookie cleaner and manager was Co
