Security Reasons

In reality, even information as simple as your computer's IP address isn't as harmless as you might think. A malicious and knowledgeable hacker could use it to find and damage your system, especially if you have a static IP address that doesn't change because you have an always-on connection such as DSL or cable. And the fact is that, you simply don't know what can happen if your privacy is compromised. Think of it this way: If you choose to keep your home address out of the phone book, you wouldn't want to discover that the information was in the white pages without your permission. It's not necessarily dangerous for someone to know your home address, but it could be, and making it public should be your choice. The potential for abuse is perhaps even more worrisome than the invasion of privacy. There's no guarantee that companies won't sell your personal information to the highest bidder or even inadvertently transmit it to malicious hackers.

From the less harmful cookie to more nefarious data collection software or Web bugs , Spy-Ware can enter your computer as a software virus (along with new software) or from a Web page while you surf. That Spy-Ware then sends your personal information--such as Web sites you've visited, your IP address, or your computer's host name--back to a parent company or server, where it can be shared with advertisers or used to serve up ads targeted at users like you.