A "cookie" is a small piece of information that a Web site's server puts on a person's computer when the person browses that site. Individual Web pages within a site may send separate cookies, all of which are stored in a single file. The message is sent back to the server each time the person browses the Web page that corresponds to the cookie.
Why does the ORNL DAAC use cookies?
We use cookies to identify our users and to customize our service.
Each ORNL DAAC user receives a cookie with a unique identifier.
The identifier allows us to "recognize" users when they sign in.
By reading the cookies, our server can match users with their registration
information, which includes the users' preferences,
such as where to send orders or what custom access formats to use.
The registration information is used internally by the ORNL DAAC and remains private (see our
Privacy Statement).
What does the cookie alert mean?
If you have set up your browser to warn you every time a cookie is set,
you can see the contents of a cookie before your computer accepts it.
On our site, a cookie that contains "ORNLDAAC" is set when your user ID
is accepted.
Can I decline to accept a cookie?
Yes, mostly.
You can browse anonymously but the server has to know who you are for you to place an order.
How long are cookies stored on my computer?
Cookies usually reside on a person's computer for a set amount of time.
Cookies from the ORNL DAAC are programmed to stay on your computer until you close (not minimize) your browser.
You can minimize your browser without losing your cookie.
How do I know which cookie came from the ORNL DAAC?
Our cookie can be identified from "ornl.gov" in the cookie notification.
Will I receive unsolicited e-mail if I accept your cookie?
No.
Accepting a cookie from the ORNL DAAC will not result in unsolicited e-mail from us or from our government sponsors.
When you register, you may choose one or more interest areas.
If you choose an interest area, you will receive e-mail announcements from us whenever something noteworthy occurs in that area.
If you do not want to receive any e-mail announcements, you can indicate that too.
Later, if you change your mind about e-mail announcements, you may revise your registration.
You will need to sign in and click "Profile" on the ORNL DAAC home page which appears after you sign in.
Can another Web site obtain information about me from the ORNL DAAC cookie?
No.
Only the ORNL DAAC can read the information about you in our cookie.
No other Web site has access to it through your browser.
A Web site can read only the cookies that it has placed.
Can another user impersonate me?
If you have not signed out of our Web site,
anyone who sits down at your computer can use your subscriber information.
We recommend that you sign out of our Web site before you leave your computer if your computer is not located in a secure place.
For extra protection, we also recommend that you register with a password.
If I delete the ORNL DAAC cookie, will I have problems the next time I come to your site?
No.
If you delete the cookie, you simply need to sign in again when you return to our site.
Our server will replace the cookie.