If you've got an account from a local Internet service provider, it might give the name of one of that ISP's computers, say, Haiti4.hooked.net Despite public fears to the contrary, there's actually very little individually identifiable information that can be gleaned from your merely visiting a Web site. CDT policy analyst Ari Schwartz points out that security flaws in some older Web browsers made it possible for sites to collect e-mail addresses if a special program was used. But those flaws have been fixed in all newer browsers, so there's little chance your e-mail address is accessible to the sites you visit. Concerns over cookies When a Web site drops what's known as a ''cookie'' on your computer's hard drive, more information becomes accessible, but still not your real name or e-mail address. Cookies are small bundles of code that allow the Web site's computer to recognize you as a return visitor, though only a number.
Cookies let Web sites keep track of what a user is doing for the duration of a visit.
For example, cookies make shopping easier. When you go to the L.L. Bean Web site, you can put the boots on page 4 in your shopping basket and the site knows you're the person who wants a pair of size 11s long before you get to the page where you fill in your name, address and credit card number. This also allows the site to tailor to your specific interests the banner ads that pop up. It may not know your name, but it knows that Customer 5423 is interested in international politics, wind surfing and fine wine. None of this really worries privacy experts, as Customer 5423 remains anonymous.