What is a Cookie Module?

A cookie is a small data file that the site associates with visitors, in order to facilitate its optimal operation, efficiency and security. Cookies are installed through requests sent by a server to an Internet browser (eg Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome). These files do not contain software, viruses, or spyware, and they cannot access information stored on your computer’s hard drive. Cookies do not require personal information to be used and in most cases do not personally identify Internet users. The lifespan of cookies can vary significantly, depending on the purpose for which they are placed. Cookies can be deleted by the user at any time via browser settings.

Cookies themselves do not require personal information in order to be used and, in most cases, do not personally identify Internet users.

There are 2 major categories of cookies:

– Session cookies – these are temporarily stored in the cookies folder of the web browser so that it can store them until the User leaves the respective website or closes the browser window (eg when logging in / out on a webmail account or on social networks).

– Persistent cookies – these are stored on the hard drive of a computer or equipment (and generally depend on the default lifetime for the cookie). 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 memorize the interests of a User, so that the most relevant advertising for the User is delivered.

What are the advantages of cookies?

A cookie contains information that links a web browser (User) to a specific webserver (Website). If a browser accesses that webserver again, it can read the information already stored and react accordingly. Cookies provide Users with a pleasant browsing experience and support the efforts of many websites to provide comfortable services to Users: examples – online privacy preferences, site language options, shopping carts or relevant advertising.

What is the lifetime of a cookie?

Cookies are administered by webservers. The lifetime of a cookie can vary significantly, depending on the purpose for which it is placed. Some cookies are used exclusively for a single session (session cookies) and are no longer retained once the User has left the website and some cookies are retained and reused each time the User returns to that website (cookies permanent). However, cookies may be deleted by a User at any time through the browser settings.

What are third-party cookies?

Certain sections of content on some sites may be provided through third parties / providers (eg news box, video or advertisement). These third parties may also place cookies through the site and they are called “third party cookies” because they are not placed by the owner of that website. Third party providers must also comply with applicable law and the site owner’s Privacy Policy.

How are cookies used by this site?

A visit to this site may place cookies for the purposes of:

Site performance cookies;

This type of cookie retains the User’s preferences on this site, so there is no need to set them each time you visit the site. Examples: – video player volume settings – the speed of the video streaming the browser is compatible with.

Visitor analysis cookies;

Each time a User visits this site the analytics software provided by a third party generates a User analysis cookie. This cookie tells us if you have visited this site before. The browser will tell us if you have this cookie, and if not, we will generate one. It allows monitoring the unique users who visit us and how often they do so.

As long as you are not registered on this site, this cookie cannot be used to identify individuals, they are only used for statistical purposes. If you are registered we may also know the details you have provided to us, such as your e-mail address and username – these are subject to confidentiality and the provisions of the Privacy Policy as well as the provisions of applicable law. protection of personal data.

Geotargetting cookies;

These cookies are used by a software that determines which country you come from. It is completely anonymous and is only used to target content – even when you are on our page in Romanian or in another language you receive the same advertisement.

Registration cookies;

When you register on a site, a cookie is generated that announces whether or not you are registered. Our servers use these cookies to show the account you are registered with and if you have permission for a particular service. It also allows you to associate any comments you post on the site with your username. If you do not select “keep me registered”, this cookie will be automatically deleted when you close your browser or computer.

Advertising cookies;

These cookies let us know whether or not you have viewed an online advertisement, what its type is, and how long it has been since you saw the creative. These cookies are also used to target online advertising. You may also use third-party cookies for better advertising targeting, for example to show holiday advertisements, if the User recently visited an article on the holiday site. These cookies are anonymous, they store information about the content viewed, not about users.

• 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 use of this site, this site cannot access these cookies, just as third parties cannot access the cookies held by this site. For example, when you share an article using the social media 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 recognize a browser. The webserver will recognize the browser until the cookie expires or is deleted. The cookie stores important information that improves the Internet browsing experience (eg: the settings of the language in which you want to access a site, keeping a user logged in to the webmail account, online banking security, keeping products in the shopping cart).

  Why are cookies important for the Internet?

  Cookies represent the central point of the efficient functioning of the Internet, helping to generate a friendly browsing experience and adapted to the preferences and interests of each User. Declining or disabling cookies may make some sites impossible to use. Rejecting or disabling cookies does not mean that you will no longer receive online advertising – but only that it will no longer be able to take into account your preferences and interests, which are highlighted by your browsing behavior.

  Examples of important uses of cookies (which do not require a user to authenticate through an account):

  Content and services tailored to the user’s preferences – categories of news, weather, sports, maps, public and government services, entertainment sites and travel services.
  Offers adapted to Users’ interests – password retention, language preferences (eg: displaying search results in Romanian).
  Retention of child protection filters on Internet content (family mode options, safe search functions).
  Limit the frequency of ad serving – Limit the number of impressions of an ad for a particular User on a site.
  Providing more relevant advertising for the User.
  Measurement, optimization and analytics features – such as confirming a certain level of traffic to a website, what type of content is viewed and how a User gets to a website (eg through search engines, directly from other websites). uri etc). Websites conduct these analyzes of their use to improve the sites for the benefit of the Users.

  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 auto-run. As a result, they cannot be duplicated or replicated on other networks to run or replicate. Because they cannot perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses. However, cookies may be used for negative purposes. Because it stores 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 and constantly mark cookies to be deleted during anti-virus / anti-spyware deletion / scanning procedures. In general, browsers have integrated privacy settings that provide different levels of acceptance of cookies, validity period and automatic deletion after the User has visited a particular site.

  Other security issues related to cookies

  Because identity protection is very valuable and represents the right of every Internet User, it is advisable to know what possible problems cookies can create. Because through them information is constantly transmitted in both directions between the browser and the website, if an attacker or unauthorized person intervenes during the transmission of data, the information contained in the cookie may be intercepted. Although very rare, this can happen if the browser connects to the server using an unencrypted network (eg an unsecured WiFi network).

Other cookie-based attacks involve incorrect 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 for the purpose of unauthorized access to certain sites. It is very important to be careful in choosing the most appropriate method of protecting your 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 inevitable. Disabling cookies will not allow the User to access the most widespread and used sites including YouTube, Gmail, Yahoo and others.

Here are some tips that can ensure that you navigate worry-free but with the help of cookies:

Customize your browser settings for cookies to reflect a comfortable level of cookie security for you.
If you do not mind cookies and you are the only person using the computer, you can set long expiration dates for storing your browsing history and personal access data.
If you share access to your computer, you can consider setting your browser to clear individual browsing data each time you close your browser. This is a way to access the sites that place cookies and to delete any visit information at the end of the browsing session.
Install and constantly update your antispyware applications.

Many of the spyware detection and prevention applications include site attack detection. This prevents the browser from accessing websites that could exploit browser vulnerabilities or download malicious software. Make sure your browser is always up to date. Many cookie-based attacks are exploited by exploiting the weaknesses of older versions of browsers.

Cookies are everywhere and cannot be avoided if you want to enjoy access to the best and largest sites on the Internet – local or international. With a clear understanding of how they operate and the benefits they bring, you can take the necessary security measures so that you can surf the internet with confidence.

How can I stop cookies?

Disabling and refusing to receive cookies may make certain sites impractical 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 in the browser so that these cookies are no longer accepted or you can set the browser to accept cookies from a specific site. But, for example, if you are not registered using cookies, you will not be able to leave comments. All modern browsers offer the ability to change cookie settings. These settings are usually found in the “options” or “preferences” menu of your browser.

To understand these settings, the following links may be useful, otherwise you can use the browser’s “help” option for more details.

Cookiesettings in Internet Explorerhttp: //windows.microsoft.com/en-us/internet-explorer/delete-manage-cookies#ie=ie-11
Cookiesettings in Mozillahttps: //support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/enable-and-disable-cookies-website-preferences
Cookiesettings in Chromehttps: //support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647? Hl = en
Cookiesettings in Safarihttps: //support.apple.com/kb/ph17191? Locale = en_US

Useful Links:

If you want to know more about cookies and what they are used for, we recommend the following links:

Microsoft Cookies guide (http://www.microsoft.com/info/cookies.mspx)
All About Cookies (http://www.allaboutcookies.org/)