a. What are cookies?
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 current or later use.

b. Why do I need to enable cookies for the VPD website?
The VPD website simply uses a cookie to track your login session. When you login, a cookie is set on your computer so we know that you are logged onto the VPD website at that particular time. Once you logout or close your browser the cookie is removed. Most website with a login procedure will require you have cookies enabled to login.

c. Are cookies a security threat?
No, cookies cannot access your system or retrieve information that isn't already broadcast by your web browser. Cookies cannot access your harddrive or send information about your computer system. Cookies are just simply a data storage system. With all the security concerns these days, many browser companies have provided features so you can disable cookies, and many times these features are disabled by default.

d. How do I enable my cookies?
To enable cookies, follow the instructions below under HOW TO ENABLE COOKIES IN YOUR WEB BROWSER for the browser version you are using.

e. I enabled cookies and I still cant login. When I try to login it just returns the login screen.
If you have enabled cookies in your browser and you still cant login, you will probaly need to check any security software on your computer and make sure the application is setup to allow cookies. Instructions can be found under CHECK FIREWALL/VIRUS PROTECTION SETTINGS.

HOW TO ENABLE COOKIES IN YOUR WEB BROWSER:

Internet Explorer 6 - Click here for directions with images
--Click Tools, and then click Internet Options.
--Click the Privacy tab.
--Click the Advanced button.
--Put a check mark in the Box for "Override Automatic Cookie Handling"
--At the bottom, select the "Accept" option under First-party cookies, and put another check mark in the "Always allow session cookies" box.
--Click on OK.

Internet Explorer 5
--Click Tools (menu item), and then click Internet Options.
--Click the Security tab.
--Click the Internet zone.
--Select a security level other than High. -or- Click Custom Level, scroll to the Cookies section, and then click -----Enable for both cookie options.

Netscape 7.xx, Mozilla
From the Edit menu, choose Preferences. (In MacOS X, choose Preferences from the Netscape or Mozilla menu.)
Select the arrow next to Privacy and Security.
--Click the Cookies category.
--Click the radio button Enable all cookies.
--Click OK. You will need to close and reopen your browser for this to take effect.

Mozilla Firefox
--Select Tools | Options... from the main menu.
--Select Privacy from the left panel of options.
--Expand the Cookies options on the right.
--Select "Enable Cookies."
--Select "for the originating website only."

AOL:
NOTE: If the changes below do not work for you, please minimize the AOL Browser and open and use a SEPARATE browser like Internet Explorer or Netscape.

Properly Enabling Cookies on AOL 9.0:

1. Click on the AOL "Settings" icon near the top of your AOL window.
2. In the "Essentials" section, click on "Internet [Web] Options"
3. Click on the "Privacy" tab.
4. Click on the "Advanced" button
5. Ensure that "Override automatic cookie handling" is checked.
6. First and Third party cookies should be set to "Accept"
7. Check "Always allow session cookies"
8. Click on "OK"
9. Click "Apply" and then "OK"
10. Exit AOL and restart your computer (This step is important. Do not skip.)

1. Click on the AOL "Settings" icon near the top of your AOL window.
2. In the dropdown that appears, select "Preferences".
3. Click the "By Category" tab
4. Find "Internet" in the listings.
5. Click on the "Privacy" tab.
6. Click on the "Advanced" button.
7. Ensure that "Override automatic cookie handling" is checked.
8. First and Third party cookies should be set to "Accept"
9. Check "Always allow session cookies"
10. Click on "OK"
11. Click "Apply" and then "OK"
12. Exit AOL and restart your computer (This step is important. Do not skip.)

1. Click on MY AOL.
2. Click SETTINGS on the main toolbar.
3. Click PREFERENCES.
4. Click on Internet Properties (WWW).
5. Click on the SECURITY tab.
6. Click on the INTERNET ZONE, then click on the Custom button on the bottom of the window. The Security Settings window will appear.
7. Scroll down until you see Cookies.
8. Click Enable for the Allow per-session cookies option.
9. Click OK to exit.

1. Click on MY AOL on the main toolbar.
2. Click PREFERENCES.
3. Click on WWW.
4. Click on the SECURITY tab.
5. Click on the INTERNET ZONE, then click on the Custom button on the bottom of the window. The Security Settings window will appear.
6. Scroll down until you see Cookies.
7. Click Enable for the Allow per-session cookies option.
8. Click OK to exit.

1. Click on START MENU from desktop
2. Click on SETTINGS, then CONTROL PANEL
3. Click on the INTERNET icon.
4. Click the ADVANCED tab and scroll down until you see the word COOKIES.
5. Click on ALWAYS ACCEPT COOKIES.
6. Click on APPLY and then OK to exit.

1. Click on MEMBERS or MY AOL.
2. Click PREFERENCES.
3. Click on WWW or WEB.
4. Click on ADVANCED TAB and scroll down until you see the word COOKIES.
5. ENABLED should be selected.
6. Click OK to exit.

1. Cookies are NOT available through v3.x for Mac. AOL recommends upgrading to AOL 5.0.
2. This is available to download at http://free.aol.com.

1. In Zone Alarm, select Privacy.
2. Under Cookie Control, click Custom
3. In Custom Privacy Settings:
   1. Uncheck the box that says "Block session cookies"
   2. Uncheck the box that says "Block persistent cookies"
   3. Uncheck the box that says "Remove private header information".
   4. Uncheck the box that says "Expire Cookies"
4. Click OK.

1. Double click on the Norton Personal Firewall icon in the tray.
2. Click on the Open option in the pop-up menu.
3. Click the Options icon in the Norton SystemWorks menu box.
4. Click on the Personal Firewall option in the Options menu box.
5. Click the Advanced Options button at the bottom of the Norton Personal Firewall Options menu box to retrieve the default settings menu box.
6. Make sure you are in the "Web" tab. There may be several domains already listed in this area.
7. Click on the Add Site button at the bottom of the Web defaults window.
8. You will need to enter "www.cosmeticscop.com" (without the quotes) as a new default. This should active the default rules section of that window.
9. Make sure the Cookies and Referer (under Browsing Privacy) are set to permit as a default rule for the www.cosmeticscop.com domain.
10. Click OK, then click OK again.

1. Right-click the red "M" icon by your system clock.
2. Click "Privacy Service."
3. Click "Options."
4. The McAfee Privacy Service window appears. Click the "Cookies" tab.
5. Enter each website address from which you would like to allow cookies.
6. Click "Add."
7. Once completed, close the window.

1. Click Help from the menu at the top of the screen
2. Click About (a screen should display giving you the version)

1. Click Help from the menu at the top of the screen
2. Click About Communicator (a screen should display giving you the version)

1. Click Help from the menu at the top of the screen
2. Click About America Online