Cookies and the CSC

Once you have registered, the Portland Press Herald/ Maine Sunday Telegram Customer Service Center uses "Cookies" to customize Web page content based on your login. This requires Cookies to be enabled in your browser.

What is a Cookie?

A cookie is a message given to a Web browser by a Web server. The browser stores the message in a text file. The message is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server.

The main purpose of cookies is to identify users and possibly prepare customized Web pages for them. When you enter a Web site using cookies, you may be asked to fill out a form providing such information as your name and interests. This information is packaged into a cookie and sent to your Web browser which stores it for later use. The next time you go to the same Web site, your browser will send the cookie to the Web server. The server can use this information to present you with custom Web pages. So, for example, instead of seeing just a generic welcome page you might see a welcome page with your name on it.

Are my Cookies enabled?

Most Web browsers have cookies turned on by default. If you you use a site like Amazon.com or Ebay and they "recognize" you when when you re-visit them ("Welcome back John Doe") or if a weather page gives you the weather for your specific zip code whenever you return, then you probably have your cookies enabled.

If they're not, how do I enable Cookies?

Hmmm. Tough question. Not because it's hard to do, but because there's such a variety of browser software and platforms available. Your best bet is to check our External Links page and check the support page of the company that makes your browser of choice.