So, I install it, and do a full system scan. It goes over about 2,500 or so files. At the end - it finds a tracking cookie. The only internet activity I did was go to Craigslist to check on something - which is a completely trustworthy site, as well as download a driver from the IBM website.

Does anybody know why a tracking cookie may have already sprung up in this install's 30 minutes of existence?

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Question everything. Without it, there's no innovation.

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I just restored my computer today. I connected to the internet, and installed the Norton Antivirus software (I didn't download it illegally... I got it from my ISP, who gives me Norton for free).

So, I install it, and do a full system scan. It goes over about 2,500 or so files. At the end - it finds a tracking cookie. The only internet activity I did was go to Craigslist to check on something - which is a completely trustworthy site, as well as download a driver from the IBM website.

Does anybody know why a tracking cookie may have already sprung up in this install's 30 minutes of existence?

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Many websites, including IBM's website and Craiglist, leave cookies on your website.  They are not inherently bad, and there is little to no performance impact.  A cookie is basically a text file (.txt) with information about "who" you are (as far as the site knows) and what you did (items you placed in your shopping cart during the current site session, links you clicked, site preferences, etc.) while at the site.  Some cookies work for multiple, affiliated sites, so that your preferences persist across browsing sessions.

Basically, if you do any kind of Internet browsing, you get cookies.  Just delete them, they do nothing on their own, as they are not computer programs.

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Vote for REAL change.