A Word About Cookies

A cookie is a small bit of text stored on your computer's hard drive. If you agree, your browser
adds the text in a small file. With Microsoft Internet Explorer, each cookie is stored in a separate
file, and with Netscape Navigator the cookies are all stored in one file. This cookie lets our server
know when you visit the NIDS website.

This text tells us that a previous visitor to NIDS has returned. It tells us what domain you're from
(i.e., .com, .edu, .gov, etc.), but it doesn't tell us who you are, or your e-mail address, or any other
personal information.

Cookies are used by our server to create a log file that helps us evaluate visitors' use of our site, such
as what information users want to see and what they never read. The cookies are used by our log
analysis program to track the number of users, and which pages are most popular. That information
allows us to better focus our online presence.

Cookies are harmless, occupying just a few bytes on your hard drive. Cookies can be read only by
the sites that posted them. They can NOT search your system for any information, nor can they
contain viruses. We do not use cookies to sell information to other companies, and you will not
receive "spam" e-mail.