All about cookies

To use the NETFILE service, your cookies must be enabled. This is something you have to do on your computer, through your browser.

All browsers are configured a little differently, so you should check the Internet options within your browser for ways to enable the cookie function.

If you are using Internet Explorer:

Internet Explorer 8:

• Click on Tools from the browser menu bar
• Select Internet Options
• Select Privacy tab and move the slider to Medium High, Medium (recommended) or Low
• Click OK to exit

Internet Explorer 7 and 6.x:

• Click on Tools from the browser menu bar
• Select Internet Options
• Select Privacy tab and move the slider to Medium High, Medium (recommended) or Lower
• Click OK to exit

If you are using Firefox:

By default Firefox accepts all cookies. If you want to gain more control over what cookies are stored:

Firefox 3.5.3 and 3.5.1

• Select Tools from the browser Menu bar
• Select Options
• Select Privacy tab
• Ensure Accept cookies from sites is selected
• Click OK to return to your browser

Firefox 2.0.0.6, 2.0.0.4, and 1.5.0.7

• Select Tools from the browser menu bar
• Select Options
• Select Privacy tab
• Under Cookies ensure Accept cookies from sites is selected
• Click OK to return to your browser

Firefox 1.0.7

• Click on Tools from the browser menu bar
• Select Options
• Select Privacy
• Under Cookies ensure Allow sites to set cookies is selected
• Click on OK to return to your browser

If you are using Safari:

Safari 4 for Windows

• Select Edit from the browser menu bar
• Select Preferences on the menu
• Select the Security tab
• Under Accept Cookies select either Always or Only from sites I visit

Safari 3.x for Windows

• Select Edit from the browser menu bar
• Select Preferences on the menu
• Select Security
• Under Accept Cookies select either Always or Only from sites you navigate to

Safari 4 for Mac

Select Safari from the browser menu bar

Select Preferences on the menu

Select Security

Under Accept Cookies select either Always or Only from sites I visit

Safari 3.x. 2.0.4 and 1.2 for Mac OS X

• Select Safari from the browser menu bar
• Select Preferences on the menu
• Select Security
• Under Accept Cookies select either Always or Only from sites you navigate to

If you are using Opera:

Opera 10.00 and 9.x for Windows

• Select Tools from the browser Menu bar
• Select Preferences
• Select Advanced tab
• In the left-hand colum, click Cookies and ensure Accept cookies is selected
• Click OK to return to your browser

Opera 9.x for Mac OS X

• Select Opera from the browser Menu bar
• Select Preferences
• Select Advanced tab
• In the left-hand colum, click Cookies and ensure Accept cookies is selected
• Click OK to return to your browser

Opera 8.50

• Click on Tools from the browser Menu bar
• Select Quick Preferences and ensure cookies is selected

If you are using Netscape:

Netscape 8.0

• Click on Tools from the browser Menu bar
• Select Options
• Select Privacy
• Click on Cookies and change the settings

Netscape 7.02 and 7.2

• Click on Edit from the browser Menu bar
• Select Preferences
• Select Privacy & Security and accept cookies.

What are cookies and why do you use them?

A cookie is a packet of data containing information that identifies you as it intermittently travels between your computer and us. Cookies are one of the ways we ensure that you continue to be identified and send the correct information during your online session.

When you log on to the NETFILE Web site, your browser will be asked to accept a cookie—a small string of text that contains a session identification number. We use the cookie to manage sessions, and only people with a valid cookie in their browser can do business on our Web pages. Anyone who cannot accept a cookie will be directed to this page.

The cookie contains a session identification number, but not your social insurance number, date of birth, or access code. That means that someone examining your cookie would not be able to log on to the NETFILE Web site as you. Our cookies are not disc-resident. They're stored in the browser only for the extent of your session.

Your session will expire after 15 minutes of inactivity. If your session expires, you have to log on again to verify your identity.

What if I don't want to accept a cookie?

Right now, we have no other way to manage sessions for people who do not want to accept cookies. If you don't accept cookies, you won't be able to send your tax return to us over the Internet.