Only somebody with the right decoder can unscramble it. Some encryption programs are so hard to decode that the U.S. government considers them war munitions and won't allow them to be distributed internationally.
Cookies are generally harmless, but they cause worries for some people.
It's not the end of the world, but junk e-mail is annoying and definitely an invasion of your privacy. Privacy Expert Monitors Issue With a Keen Eye Richard Smith has dedicated himself to demanding high security and privacy standards of Internet companies. A veteran computer programmer, Smith knows how information collected through technology can be manipulated in ways the developer never intended. Currently the chief technology officer at the Privacy Foundation, Smith has gained prominence for revealing tracking technologies within software programs, operating systems and Internet services, including high-profile privacy flaws at RealNetworks and Microsoft. Protect your PC, e-mail, and instant messages with these 10 easy security measures.