Are Cookies Bad

The concept of cookie trading is very new to many of you. But to be fair, the use of cookies does infringe on privacy. The server does know if someone stopped by before and knows what that person did while they were there.

I don not believe cookies are all that awful. No, I don't use them, but I also don't mind someone using them on me. Someone with far more knowledge than me might prove me wrong, but I don't think we can expect to move around public phone lines and personal servers totally anonymously.

Site owners know I am on their web sites. The server knows what I am doing when I'm there. To a point. Your login or e-mail login may be gathered because it is listed in the browser's general information. However, that information is not gathered by the cookie. The cookie can't do that. An applet can, and then it can be written to the cookie. However, as said before, it is hard to go around this web of computers totally anonymously.

Will I get spammed because of a cookie? If you do, then a line has been crossed and the person who is using the unauthorized e-mail addresses should be prosecuted.

They'll get my home address? Only if you offer it.

They'll get my SS number? Only if you offer it.

I agree to a point that surfing can be invade your privacy, but it might be a trade-off you are willing make in order to use the internet.
It's up to you whether you think cookies are good or bad.