JoeJaz has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

Hi, I have created an application that sets cookies (using CGI::Cookie) and have tested it in IE 6, Mozilla 1.6 for windows and Mozilla 1.6 for Linux. Mozilla has a very nice cookie manager, so I can see that they are being created and modified correctly. However, IE doesn't seem to want to accept the cookies. In IE's "Internet Option" dialogue box, I have set the privacy setting to the lowest possible value and still have had no luck in retrieving cookies (the low security settings are, of course, unacceptable in the long run, but I needed a way to test it). One thing of note, in Mozilla, the cookie manager reports that my cookies have no "Policy". In IE, the privacy tag in Internet Options requires a cookie policy for some of the more secure privacy settings. I, however, have been unable to locate any information on how to set a privacy policy for cookies. If anyone has any information on how to set a cookie policy or on how to get cookies to work in IE when it is set at the "medium" privacy level, I would be very greatful if you were to share you experience. Thank you for reading this, Joe

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: IE and Cookies
by saintbrie (Scribe) on May 01, 2004 at 20:35 UTC

    You can find information on P3P at the P3P page:

    http://www.w3.org/P3P/p3pfaq.html

    Basically, it is a file that is machine readable in a standard format so that users can set their browsers up and their browsers can take care of the rest. However, it is just a recommendation at the moment, so I really doubt that your problem is that you don't have a P3P file on your server. I'd look for other causes.

    Ethereal, a network packet analyzer has at times proven invaluable when I've had to work on stuff like this. I'd start there and make sure that the cookie you think is being sent is actually being sent. Check for stuff like expiration and domain... Delete cookie files from the temp folder where they sit and try getting the page to work. Strip the cookie sending bit out and try to simplify it. I can almost guarantee you it is going to be something goofy simple that is easily overlooked.

[reply]
      Thanks for your feedback. Even simply knowing the name of what I am trying to do is helpful (P3P). Thanks for that link. I'll also try probing my scripts with ethereal; that is a good idea. I'm probably making some stupid mistake. Thank you again for your feedback. Joe
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Re: IE and Cookies
by cfreak (Chaplain) on May 02, 2004 at 04:43 UTC
    IE has some bugs related to cookies. More than once I've nearly torn my hair out because cookies wouldn't set in IE. Usually deleting temporary internet files will fix the problem. Also make sure your IE has all the updates, its possible they fixed some of the bugs and it can never hurt in terms of security!

    Hope that helps!
    /breathlessly awaiting the day when everyone is using Firefox and I can tell people with that crap ridden 'browser' to take a hike! :)
    Lobster Aliens Are attacking the world!
[reply]
      Thanks for the tips. I'll be sure to check the temporary internet files and do a few updates to IE (I know I haven't done a windows update in a while). I hear you on the Firefox deal. ;-) Joe
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