biscuits (Re: [plug] email message formats)

[Matt Kemner]

On Sun, 24 Dec 2000, Bret Busby wrote:

> If a cookie can identify a person, and, the website happens to be able
> to link the person's identity to the person's email address, can the
> email address of a person not be found, via the use of cookies? If the
> email address of a person can be found, can spam not result from that?

Bret, that implies they already _have_ your email address, so why would
they wait until you visited their site with cookies enabled before
sending you SPAM?

All cookies enable them to do is to find out things like how often you
visit their website, what sections of the site you return to most often,
etc.  It does not allow them to find out whom you are unless you tell
them.  On the other hand if you purchase something online from a website
with cookies enabled it will allow them to match your cookie with your
address.  If you don't have cookies enabled they will still have your
address because you gave it to them, but they won't be able to send your
"targetted SPAM" based on what areas on the site you prefer.  They will
still be able to send you SPAM because you gave them your address.

 - Matt