This website uses cookies to provide visitors with a much better browsing experience and services tailored to their needs and interests.
"Cookies" are intended to facilitate access and delivery of services used by the internet user, such as customising certain settings (language, country, prices displayed in national currency. "Cookies, based on the information they gather about users, help website owners to make their product more efficient so that it is as easy as possible for users to access it, they also increase the effectiveness of online advertising and, last but not least, they can allow multimedia or other applications from other websites to be embedded on a particular site to make browsing more useful.
What is a cookie?
A cookie ("browser cookie" or "HTTP cookie") is a small file, made up of letters and numbers, which is stored on any terminal with internet access (computer, mobile phone, tablet, etc.) and is installed by request issued by a web-server to a browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Chrome). To remember: "Cookies do not contain software, viruses or spyware and cannot access information on the user's hard drive.
A cookie consists of a name and content, its lifetime is determined and it can be accessed again by the webserver when a user returns to the website associated with that webserver. Cookies do not request personal information and do not personally identify Internet users. Session cookies - these are temporarily stored in the browser history which remembers them until the user exits the website or closes the browser window. Persistent cookies - these are stored, for a set period of time, on the hard drive of a computer or device. Persistent cookies also include those placed by a website other than the one the user is currently visiting - known as "third party cookies" - which can be used anonymously to remember a user's interests so that the most relevant advertising can be delivered to users.
What are the benefits of cookies?
A cookie contains information that links users to a particular website. If a browser accesses that web-server again, it can read the information already stored and react accordingly.
How long does a cookie last?
There are cookies that are only used for a single session - they are no longer retained after the user leaves the website. Permanent cookies - are retained and reused each time the user returns to that website, but can be deleted at any time by the user.
What are third party cookies?
ieces of content or services may be placed on the website you visit by third parties through banners, boxes or links - and all of these tools may contain cookies. They are called "third party cookies" because they are not placed by the owner of the website in question, and third party providers are subject to the laws in force and the privacy policies of the website owner.
How are cookies used by this site?
A visit to this site may place cookies for purposes of:
Cookies for visitor analysis
Registration cookies
Some cookies may come from third parties.
Cookies for visitor analysis
Each time a user visits this site analytics software provided by a third party generates a user analytics cookie. This cookie tells us whether you have visited this site before. Your browser will tell us if you have this cookie, and if not, we will generate one. It allows us to track unique users who visit us and how often they do so. This cookie cannot be used to identify individuals, they are only used for statistical purposes.
Other third party cookies
On some pages, third parties may set their own anonymous cookies in order to track the success of an application, or to customize an application. Due to the way they are used, this site cannot access these cookies, just as third parties cannot access cookies held by this site. For example, when you share a page using the social networking button on this site, that social network will record your activity.
What kind of information is stored and accessed through cookies?
Cookies store information in a small text file that allows a website to recognise a browser. The webserver will recognise the browser until the cookie expires or is deleted. The cookie stores important information that improves your web browsing experience (e.g. an order number for your donation).
Why are cookies important for the Internet?
Cookies are central to the efficient functioning of the Internet, helping to generate a user-friendly browsing experience tailored to each user's preferences and interests. Refusing or disabling cookies may make some sites unusable. Refusing or disabling cookies does not mean that you will no longer receive online advertising - it just means that it will no longer be able to take into account your preferences and interests as evidenced by your browsing behaviour.
Security and privacy issues
Cookies are NOT viruses! They use plain text formats. They are not made up of pieces of code so they cannot be executed or run themselves. Consequently, they cannot be duplicated or replicated on other networks to run or replicate themselves again. Since they cannot perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses.
Cookies can however be used for negative purposes. Because they store information about users' preferences and browsing history, both on a particular site and on several other sites, cookies can be used as a form of Spyware. Many anti-spyware products are aware of this fact and consistently flag cookies for deletion as part of anti-virus/anti-spyware deletion/scanning procedures. Browsers generally have built-in privacy settings that provide different levels of cookie acceptance, validity period and automatic deletion after the user has visited a particular site.
Other security issues related to cookies
As identity protection is very valuable and is the right of every internet user, it is advisable to be aware of the potential problems that cookies can create. Because cookies constantly transmit information back and forth between the browser and the website, if an attacker or unauthorised person intervenes in the data transmission path, the information contained in the cookie can be intercepted. Although very rare, this can happen if the browser connects to the server using an unencrypted network (e.g. an unsecured WiFi network).
Other cookie-based attacks involve wrong cookie settings on servers. If a website does not require the browser to use only encrypted channels, attackers can use this vulnerability to trick browsers into sending information through unsecured channels. Attackers then use the information to gain unauthorised access to certain websites. It is very important to be careful in choosing the most appropriate method of protecting personal information.
Tips for safe and responsible browsing based on cookies
Due to their flexibility and the fact that most of the most visited and largest sites use cookies, they are almost unavoidable. Disabling cookies will not allow the user access to the most popular and used sites including Youtube, Gmail, Yahoo and others. Here are a few tips to make sure you browse worry-free but with cookies:
Customise your browser's cookie settings to reflect a level of cookie security that is comfortable for you. If you don't mind cookies and you are the only person using your computer, you can set long expiry times for storing browsing history and personal access data. If you share access to your computer, you may consider setting your browser to delete individual browsing data each time you close the browser. This is a variant of accessing sites that place cookies and deleting any visit data when you close your browsing session.
Install and constantly update anti-spyware applications. Many spyware detection and prevention applications include detection of attacks on websites. This prevents your browser from accessing websites that could exploit browser vulnerabilities or download dangerous software. Make sure your browser is always up to date. Many cookie-based attacks are carried out by exploiting weaknesses in older versions of browsers. Cookies are everywhere and cannot be avoided if you want to enjoy access to the best and biggest sites on the Internet - local or international. With a clear understanding of how they work and the benefits they bring, you can take the necessary security measures so you can surf the internet with confidence.
How can I stop cookies?
Disabling and refusing to receive cookies may make certain sites unusable or difficult to visit and use. Also, refusing to accept cookies does not mean that you will no longer receive/see online advertising. It is possible to set your browser to stop accepting cookies or you can set your browser to accept cookies from a specific site. But, for example, if you don't want to use cookies you can't follow the next steps after registering by filling in the form.
All modern browsers offer the possibility to change cookie settings. These settings are usually found in the "options" or "preferences" menu of your browser.
For third party cookie settings, and for more information on privacy related to online advertising, IAB Romania provides the following website: http://www.youronlinechoices.com/ro/