By placing a tracking cookie on a user's computer, an advertising network can collect information about the user's web-browsing activities and use that information to serve online ads targeted to the user's interests or for other purposes.

ENGADGET: Google to pay $22.5 million to settle FTC charges over tracking cookies in Apple's Safari browser

However, for technical reasons, it can't disable a cookie until the user gets back online and goes to a relevant Google site, so full disabling of the tracking files could be a long process.

WSJ: Google to Pay $22.5 Million in FTC Privacy Settlement

Because we already know how to manufacture lots of silicon chips inexpensively using a batch, cookie-cutter approach, we can make micromachines cheaply, sometimes even 100 times cheaper than their traditional counterparts.

FORBES: MicroMachines: They're Huge

If an attacker knows what site a user plans to visit, he can visit the site ahead of time and pick up a valid cookie before the user gets there.

FORBES: Twenty-Four More Reasons Not To Trust Your Browser's "Padlock"

After you vote, you can help yourself to a homemade peanut butter cookie made by a local elections official, Diane Chauncey.

NPR: N.H. Polls Marked by Heavy Turnout, Independents

You can set the browser on your computer to warn you each time a cookie is being sent, block third party cookies or block all cookies.

NEWSWEEK: Privacy Policy

For dessert, make one of my quick and easy favorites: top two scoops of vanilla ice cream with a shot of espresso or coffee, and put biscotti on the side (you can find these in the cookie section of most grocery stores).

FORBES: Three Game Plans for a DIY Valentine's Day