Cookies and fake email addresses

I have thousands of cookies. Have seen various "cookie cutter'
software but not sure if I really want to use it. I know that
dozens of these cookies are to sites that I have registered to
and I think the cookies are what makes these sites recognize me.
Other sites probably store my password information or show that I
am a paid registered member. The touble is that many cookies are
just a bunch of numbers; there is no way I can tell who/what
they are.

If I do delete every single one of the cookies am I going to
have trouble accessing some of my favorite sites?

Is there a way I can de-code the numbered cookies so I can tell
who they are?

Any other ideas? I've been getting bombarded with the netsky
virus in my email (so far, I'm safe except for what I think was
one false alarm) and wonder if cookies have anything to do with
tracking me to send these pests.

I currently use McAfee virus and firewall protection. Also use a
pop-up stopper. But I am bad about going to lots and lots of
sites from Google searches. Is there an EASY shareware/freeware
that will let me turn cookies off and on when I'm surfing? Or
should I just shut them off by altering Internet Explorer
options?

On another note, I see where others have somehow garbaged up
their return email addresses on newsgroups so they can't be used
without deliberate keystroking. Can you tell me how to set up my
Outlook Express to do this too? Or point me to a website that
will tell me how?

Kathy

I use OE as my ng reader/writer. Under tools/accounts/properties you can
munge your email return address to deter the spam gatherers. In mine for
example someone would know to replace the DOT with "." to email me.

I use Netscape as my main browser because it is much easier to manage
cookies. You are correct in that you need some to get into some sites.

If I were you, I'd probably switch to Netscape and when happy with settings,
delete all cookies in IE. Netscape is also better for managing popups.

Also you may wish to look at Ad-aware to get rid of the crap planted in your
computer.

Frank