This website uses cookies to provide visitors with a much better browsing experience and services tailored to each individual's needs and interests.
Cookies provide website owners with valuable feedback on how their websites are used by users, so that they can make them more efficient and accessible for them; Allow multimedia or applications of a different type from other sites to be included in a particular site to create a more valuable, useful and enjoyable browsing experience; They improve the effectiveness of online advertising.
What is a "cookie"?
An "Internet Cookie" (term also known as "browser cookie" or "HTTP cookie" or, simply, "cookie") is a small file, consisting of letters and numbers that will be stored on the computer, mobile terminal or on other equipment of a user from which the Internet is accessed. The cookie is installed by the request issued by a web server to a browser (eg Internet Explorer, Chrome) and is completely "passive" (does not contain software, viruses or spyware and cannot access information on the hard drive- the user).
A cookie consists of two parts: the name and the content (value) of the cookie. Furthermore, the lifetime of a cookie is determined; technically, only the web server that sent the cookie can access it again, when a user returns to the web site associated with that web server.
Cookies themselves do not require personal information to be used and, in most cases, do not personally identify Internet users.
Session cookies – these are temporarily stored in the cookie folder of the web browser for it to remember until the user exits the respective website or closes the browser window (for example in the moment of logging in/out on a webmail account or on social networks);
Persistent cookies – these are stored on the hard drive of a computer or device (and generally depend on the lifetime of the cookie).
What are the advantages of cookies?
A cookie contains information that connects a web browser (the user) and a specific web server (the website). If a browser accesses that web server again, it can read the information already stored and react accordingly. Cookies ensure a pleasant browsing experience for users and support the efforts of many websites to provide user-friendly services (online privacy preferences, website language options, shopping carts or relevant advertising).
What is the lifespan of a cookie?
Cookies are managed by web servers. 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 after the user has left the website, and other cookies are retained and reused every time the user returns to that website site (permanent cookies). However, cookies can be deleted by the user at any time through the browser settings.
How are cookies used by this site?
A visit to this website may place cookies for the purposes of:
– Website performance;
– Analysis of visitors;
– Targeting;
– User registration and authentication;
– Keeping the products in the shopping cart;
– Save user preferences.
Why are cookies important to 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.
Rejecting or deactivating 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, highlighted by your browsing behavior.
Examples of important uses of cookies (which do not require the authentication of a user through an account):
– Content and services adapted to the user's preferences;
– Offers adapted to user interests – password retention, language preferences (for example, displaying search results in Romanian);
– Retention of child protection filters on internet content ("family mode" options, "safe search" functions).
Measurement, optimization and analytics features – such as confirming a certain level of traffic on a website, what type of content is viewed and how a user arrives at a website (via search engines, directly, from other websites etc). The websites run these usage analyzes to improve the websites 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. Consequently, they cannot be duplicated or replicated to other networks to run or replicate again. Since they cannot perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses.
Cookies can still be used for negative purposes. Because they store information about users' preferences and browsing history both on a specific site and on other sites, cookies can be used as a form of spyware. Many anti-spyware products are aware of this fact and consistently mark cookies for deletion during anti-virus/anti-spyware deletion/scanning procedures.
In general, browsers have integrated privacy settings that provide different levels of cookie acceptance, validity period and automatic deletion after the user has visited a certain site.
Other security aspects related to cookies
Since the protection of identity is very valuable and represents the right of every Internet user, it is advisable to know what possible problems cookies can create. Because they transmit information between the browser and the website, constantly and in both directions, if an attacker or an unauthorized person intervenes during data transmission, the information contained in cookies can be intercepted. Although it rarely occurs in practice, this can happen if the browser connects to the server using an unencrypted network (an unsecured WiFi network).
Other cookie-based attacks involve missetting cookies 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 over unsecured channels. Attackers then use the information to gain unauthorized access to certain sites. It is very important to be careful in choosing the most suitable 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 widespread and used sites: YouTube, Gmail, Yahoo, Facebook and others. Here are some tips that if you apply, you can be sure that you browse without worries, but with the help of cookies:
Customize your browser settings regarding cookies according to your comfort level regarding the security of their use.
If you don't mind cookies and you are the only person using the computer, you can set long expiration periods for storing your browsing history and personal access data. However, if you share computer access, you may consider setting your browser to delete individual browsing data each time you close the browser. This is an option to access sites that place cookies and delete any visit information when you close your browsing session.
Always install and update antispyware applications.
Many spyware detection and prevention applications include detection of site attacks. Thus, they prevent the browser from accessing websites that might exploit browser vulnerabilities or download dangerous software. Make sure your browser is always up to date. Many of the cookie-based attacks are made by exploiting weaknesses in old 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 that you can surf the Internet with confidence.
How can cookies be turned off?
Disabling and refusing to receive cookies may make certain websites impractical or difficult to visit and use.
It is possible to set your browser to no longer accept these cookies, or you can set your 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 possibility to change cookie settings. These settings are usually found in your browser's "options" or "preferences" menu.
To understand these settings, the following links may be useful. You can use your browser's "help" option for more details.
Cookie settings in Internet Explorer
Cookie settings in Firefox
Cookie settings in Chrome
Cookie settings in Safari
