A cookie is a small amount of data (in the form of a text file) that is sent to your browser from a Web site's computers and is stored on your computer's hard drive. This file includes an anonymous unique identifier that allows the Web site to recognize your computer so that the site’s contents and responses are tailored specifically to you.

Each Web site can send its own cookie to your browser if your browser's preferences allow it. However, for privacy and security concerns, your browser only permits a given Web site to access the cookies it has sent to you, not the cookies sent to you by other sites.

You can configure your browser to accept all cookies, to reject all cookies, or to notify you when a cookie is sent. Each browser is different, so consult your browser’s help files to learn how to change your cookie preferences. For your convenience, we have provided instructions for adjusting cookie settings for supported versions of all of the browsers fully supported by this Web site: Internet Explorer, Netscape and Safari. Use the steps below to make adjustments to your cookie settings using the procedure appropriate for your particular browser:

Internet Explorer

1. On the main Internet Explorer toolbar, select Tools / Internet Options.
2. Click the Privacy to make it the active panel.
3. The current security level will appear in bolded black text above the slide bar.
4. If the current setting is above Medium High, left-click the slide bar’s adjustment handle and hold the mouse button down as you pull “down” until the setting Medium High or lower.
5. Note: A setting of "Block All Cookies" (the highest possible setting) will cause your browser to reject all cookies. A security setting of High will cause you difficulties in logging into the community, and in some cases may prevent a login entirely. The default setting for your browser’s security is Medium.
6. Click the OK button to close the Internet Options dialog box and return to the Web browser.

1. On the main Internet Explorer toolbar, select Tools / Internet Options.
2. Click the Privacy to make it the active panel.
3. Click the "To override cookie handling for individual Web site" Edit box.
4. Enter the primary Web site address for this online community (for example – www.schoolalumni.org or www.schoolname.imodules.com.
5. Click the Allow option to specify that you want Internet Explorer to always allow cookies from this Web site to be accepted by your computer.
6. Click the "OK" button to close the Internet Options dialog box and return to the Web browser.

Safari

1. On the main Safari menu, select Preferences Security.
2. To access this online community you may either select:
   1. "Always to accept and remember all cookies", or
   2. You can also choose the option "Only from sites you navigate to". This latter option will allow your browser to accept cookies from the online community, and other sites, but prevents your browser from accepting cookies from Web sites other the ones you have navigated to. Select this to prevent advertisers on other Web sites you visit from storing cookies on your computer.

Firefox

1. At the top of the Firefox window, click on the Firefox button (Tools menu in Windows XP) and then click Options.
2. When the Preferences screen opens, click Privacy to make it the active panel.
3. Set Firefox will to: Use custom settings for history.
4. Check mark Accept cookies from sites to enable Cookies.
   NOTE: If you are troubleshooting problems with cookies, make sure Accept third party cookies is also check marked.
5. Click OK to close the Options window.

Chrome

1. Click the wrench icon on the browser toolbar.
2. Select Options (Preferences on Mac and Linux; Settings on a Chromebook).
3. Click the Under the Hood tab.
4. Click Content settings in the "Privacy" section.
5. Click the Cookies tab in the Content Settings dialog that appears:
6. Make sure "Allow local data to be set" is selected to allow both first-party and third-party cookies.

The LSE Alumni Online Community uses cookies to identify you when you log in to our Web site. The registration system requires that you accept the cookies from this community Web site address so that content can be directed to you based on your profile. Once a cookie is saved on your computer, only the Web site that created the cookie can read it. A Web site cannot gain access to other information on your computer.

What is a cookie?
A cookie is a small text file created by an Internet site to store information on your computer, such as your preferences when visiting that site. Browsers are automatically set to accept cookies unless you manually tell the browser to reject them, or you have installed a program that rejects all cookies.

Only the LSE Alumni Online Community on the Web can read the information about your ID and password. No other Web site has access to it through your browser. However, anyone who sits down at your computer can log on to our site using your Member information if you have chosen to "Save your Login" We recommend saving your sign-on only if your computer is in a secure location; if you are in a public place and want to make sure that your ID and password are not stored there, click Log Out on our home page.

First Party vs. Third-Party cookies
A first-party cookie either originates on or is sent to the Web site you are currently viewing. These cookies are commonly used to store information, such as your preferences when visiting that site.

This site does not use 3rd Party cookies - A third-party cookie either originates on or is sent to a Web site different from the one you are currently viewing. Third-party Web sites usually provide some content on the Web site you are viewing. For example, many sites use advertising from third-party Web sites and those third-party Web sites may use cookies. A common use for this type of cookie is to track your Web page use for advertising or other marketing purposes. Third-party cookies can either be persistent or temporary.

Persistent or Temporary Cookie
A persistent cookie is one stored as a file on your computer, and it remains there when you close Internet Explorer. The cookie can be read by the Web site that created it when you visit that site again. When you "Remember your login on this computer" and quit your browser, this information is stored in a cookie. This "permanent" cookie will remain on your hard disk indefinitely allowing you to log in to the community automatically without entering your username and password each visit. It will remain there until you log out of the system or delete the cookie.

A temporary or session cookie is stored only for your current browsing session, and is deleted from your computer when you close Internet Explorer. When temporary cookies are being used, this Web site requires you to re=enter your login information after a certain period of time has elapsed to protect you against others accidentally accessing your account information.

For additional information on this topic, please refer to the LSE Alumni Online Community’s Privacy Policy.