Each time I run a scan with Ad-Aware SE it finds the same 18 "ghost cookies." When I ask the program to delete the 18 cookies, it appears to do so, but when I re-scan the same 18 cookies come up (even when I am not connected to the internet). I have searched for these 18 cookies using the normal Windows "find" tool with the option to show hidden files. However, I cannot find these 18 cookies using the "find" command. I have looked in the folder where Ad-Aware says the cookies are located, but I cannot see the 18 cookies in that folder.

My definitions are up to date and my version is up to date. I even re-loaded Ad-Aware SE but keep getting the same results. I have not tried to remove and then re-install the program, just re-loaded it over the existing program.

Any suggestions. Thanks. Bill Williams

Hi wmcwilliams,

Cookies are stored in C:\Documents and Settings\User_Name\Cookies (remember that some sites require that their cookies be loaded for full functionality).

There will also usually be cookies in your Temporary Internet Files (C:\Documents and Settings\User_Name\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files).

To clear out the Temporary Internet Files and free up disk space, you can run Disk Cleanup (Start > Program Files > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup). In Windows XP, you can simply go to Start > Run and type in the box: Cleanmgr

Wait while Windows scans your system for files to delete.
Make sure these 3 are checkmarked and press *ok* to delete them.

Temporary Files
Temporary Internet Files
Recycle Bin

Although there are utility programs (freeware/shareware/licensed) that will perform this task for you, this is the simplest method and may be run on a regular basis, much as you would for example defragment your hard drive.

Regards,

Spike

Spike thanks for the advice. I had already run the disc cleanup utility, both the Windows version and the Norton version a number of times. I just ran it again and then did the Ad-Aware scan. The same 18 tracking cookies keep being “found” by Ad-Aware. When I go to the “item details” page in Ad-Aware, it shows that each of the 18 ghost cookies is a tracking cookie. The data type shown is “IE Cache Entry” and the size is “0 bytes” according to Ad-Aware. The cookies are all shown to be in the same folder (C:\Documents and Settings\myname\cookies. However, when I go to the folder when the cookie is supposed to be located (using explorer) there is no such cookie shown in the folder, even though I have the “show hidden files” option checked. Thinking that I might have a corrupt Ad-Aware file I removed the Ad-Aware SE Plus program using the Windows removal tool and completely reloaded the program. I still get the same 18 ghost cookies when I run the scan. Any further advice??


{Edit: Duplicate "Quote" post deleted}

Hi wmcwilliams,

Which browser do you use? IE6, IE7, Mozilla Firefox...?

For cookie handling in IE6, open the browser, select Tools > Internet Options > Privacy and move the slider to the level that best suits you - (for a description of the various levels, go to http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/s...rnmore/ie6.mspx )

The same Privacy tab is present in IE7 - for a description of the various levels, click Help > Contents & Index, then type Change your privacy settings into the Search box.

For Mozilla Firefox, the path is almost the same - Tools > Options > Privacy. You can configure how you want it to handle cookies/private data, as well as adding /deleting sites that you do or don't want to accept cookies from, using the "Exception" tab (eg: I allow cookies from my internet bank, my isp etc).

I use IE7 and Mozilla - in addition to their cookie-handling settings, I also use a small free utility called CookieWall, by analogX (no, I'm not saying that it is better or worse than any other such programs, just that I find it useful ) Note that it only monitors IE at present, and only works for the "User Account" - you still need to run Cleanmgr and Norton CleanSweep regularly to clear your Temp Internet Files...

See my post in this thread for a download link and screen-shots:Create a rule to allow cookies, Allow certain cookies

Regards,

Spike

Spike, thanks again for your willingness to try to help. However, I think I have failed to adequately describe my problem.

Basically, I do not think the 18 cookie files that Ad-Aware purports to find and remove are real files. This is why I refer to them as ghost cookies.

1. I cannot “find” any of the 18 files in the folder where Ad-Aware says the files are located, nor can I find the files anywhere else on my C drive. I am using Windows XP Home, have all the Windows updates and am searching with the “show hidden files” option enable. I search prior to “removing” or quarantining the 18 files with Ad-Aware, but the files are not on my C drive, which is the only drive I have enabled at the moment (my backup drive is an external drive that is not connected at the moment). The 18 cookie files do not appear to exist.
2. Ad-Aware describes each of the 18 files, using the details in the AD-Aware critical objects tab, as having zero bytes
3. The 18 files “reappear” and are found by Ad-Aware repeatedly after the have purportedly been removed by Ad-Aware. The files are not being merely re-sent to me over the internet. I do not have any problem blocking real cookies when I am on-line. That is not the issue. By way of a test I have (i) shut down my internet connection and disconnected from the internet and (ii) shut down my IE6. I have then run the Ad-Aware scan and the 18 cookie files in question are “found” by Ad-Aware and then are “removed” by Ad-Aware. My machine remains disconnected from the internet and IE6 remains closed, so it is not possible for any new cookies to be sent to me. I then re-run the Ad-Aware scan and to my frustration, Ad-Aware purports to then again “find” and remove the same 18 cookie files. Each time I run Ad-Aware when disconnected from the internet and with IE6 shut down Ad-Aware says that it finds and removes the same 18 cookies.

I do appreciate your suggestions. But my problem appears to me to be much more complicated than simply blocking cookies while on-line or clearing out temp folders. I notice that someone named Paulouk seems to be having the same problem based on a posting on the 19th in the forum.

Would you have any other suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Hi wmcwilliams,

Am investigating further.

Will get back to you both.

Regards,

Spike

Hooray, my problem was quickly solved by the Lavasoft support people. I contacted Lavasoft and they responded extremely quickly, diagnosed my problem and solved it. I had been running another program called GreenBorder to additionally protect me on the internet. GreenBorder had been quarantining the cookies in question so the cookies did not show up when I did a file search, but the cookies, in the GreenBorder quarantine area, were still being found by AdAware. To fix the problem I had GreenBorder remove the cookies it quarantined and now all is well. Thanks very much to the Lavasoft support people. Cordially, Bill Williams