In order to comply with the requirements established by LAW No. 133 of 08.07.2011 on the protection of personal data, concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector, all website visitors are asked for their consent before cookies are transmitted to their computers.
This website uses its own and third-party cookies in order to provide visitors with a significantly better browsing experience and services tailored to each person’s needs and interests.
Cookies play an important role in facilitating access to and delivery of the numerous services that users enjoy on the Internet, such as:
- Personalization of certain settings, such as: the language in which the website is displayed, access to previous preferences using the “forward” and “back” buttons.
- Cookies provide website owners with valuable feedback on how users use their websites, enabling them to make them even more efficient and accessible to users.
- They allow multimedia or other applications from other websites to be embedded on a particular website in order to make browsing more engaging, useful, and enjoyable.
What is a “cookie”?
An “Internet Cookie” (a term also known as a “browser cookie”, “HTTP cookie”, or simply “cookie”) is a small file consisting of letters and numbers that is stored on the computer, mobile device, or other equipment of a user from which the Internet is accessed.
A cookie is installed at the request of a web server sent to a browser (for example: Internet Explorer, Chrome) and is completely “passive” (it does not contain software, viruses, or spyware and cannot access information on the user’s hard drive).
A cookie consists of 2 parts: the name and the content, or value of the cookie. In addition, the lifespan of a cookie is limited; technically, only the web server that sent the cookie can access it again when the user returns to the website associated with the respective web server.
Cookies themselves do not request personal information in order to be used and, in most cases, do not personally identify Internet users.
There are 2 main categories of cookies:
- Session cookies — are temporarily stored in the web browser’s cookie folder so that the browser retains them until the user leaves the respective website or closes the browser window (for example: when logging in/out of a webmail account or social networks).
- Persistent cookies — are stored on the hard drive of a computer or device (and, as a rule, this depends on a predetermined cookie lifespan). Persistent cookies also include cookies placed by a website other than the one the user is currently visiting — known as “third party cookies” (cookies placed by third parties) — which may be used anonymously to remember a user’s interests in order to display the most relevant advertising to users.
What are the benefits of cookies?
A cookie contains information that links a web browser (the user) to a specific web server (the website). If the browser accesses that web server again, the server can read the information already stored and respond accordingly. Cookies provide users with an enjoyable browsing experience and support the efforts of many websites to provide users with convenient services: for example — online privacy settings, website language selection, shopping carts, or relevant advertising.
What is the lifespan of a cookie?
Cookies are managed by web servers. The lifespan 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 leaves the website, while some cookies are retained and reused each time the user returns to that website (persistent cookies). Nevertheless, the user may delete cookies at any time through the browser settings.
What are cookies placed by third parties?
Certain sections of content on particular websites may be provided through third parties/providers (for example: a news section, video, or advertising). These third parties may also place cookies through the website, and they are called “third party cookies” because they are not placed by the owner of the respective website. Third-party providers must also comply with applicable legislation and the website owner’s privacy policy.
How cookies are used by the website.
Visiting the website may result in cookies being placed for:
- improving website performance;
- visitor analysis;
- geotargetting;
- user registration.
Performance cookies
This type of cookie stores a user’s preferences on this website, so there is no need to configure them each time the website is visited.
Examples: video player volume settings, video streaming speed compatible with the browser.
Visitor analysis cookies
Each time a user visits the website, analytics software provided by a third party creates an analytics cookie for the user. This cookie indicates whether you have previously visited this website. The browser will indicate whether you have this cookie, and if you do not, a new one will be created. This makes it possible to track unique users who visit the website and how frequently they visit it.
As long as the visitor is not registered on the website, this cookie cannot be used to identify individuals and is used only for statistical purposes. If the visitor is registered, the data provided, such as the email address and username, may also be known — these are confidential in accordance with the provisions of applicable personal data protection legislation.
Geotargetting cookies
These cookies are used by software that determines which country you are located in. It is completely anonymous and is used only for content targeting — even when the visitor is on a page in Romanian or another language, they will receive the same advertising.
Registration cookies
When you register on the website, a cookie is created that indicates whether you are registered or not. Servers use these cookies to display the account under which you are registered and to determine whether you have permission to use a particular service. This also makes it possible to associate any comment posted on the website with your username. If you have not selected the “stay signed in” option, this cookie will be automatically deleted when you close the browser or turn off the computer.
Other third-party cookies
On some pages, third parties may set their own anonymous cookies for the purpose of tracking the success of an application or customizing an application.
For example, when you share (share) an article using a social network button placed on the website, that social network records your actions.
What types of information are stored and accessible through cookies?
Cookies store information in a small text file that allows a website to recognize a browser. The web server will recognize the browser until the cookie expires or is deleted.
A cookie stores important information that improves the Internet browsing experience (for example: settings for the language in which the user wishes to view the website; keeping the user signed in to a webmail account; online banking security; keeping items in a shopping cart).
Why are cookies important for the Internet?
Cookies are a central element of the efficient functioning of the Internet, helping to create a convenient browsing experience tailored to each user’s preferences and interests. Refusing or disabling cookies may make some websites impossible to use.
Examples of important ways in which cookies are used (which do not require user authentication through an account):
- Content and services tailored to the user’s preferences — news categories, weather, sports, maps, government and public services, entertainment websites, and travel services.
- Offers tailored to users’ interests — saving passwords, language preferences (for example: displaying search results in Romanian).
- Saving child protection filters for Internet content (family mode options, safe search features).
- Measurement, optimization, and analytics features — for example, confirming a certain level of website traffic, determining the type of content viewed and how the user reaches the website (for example: through search engines, directly, from other websites). Websites conduct such analyses of their use in order to improve the websites for the benefit of users.
Security and privacy-related issues
Cookies are NOT viruses! They use plain-text formats. They do not consist of pieces of code, so they cannot be executed and cannot run on their own. Consequently, they cannot duplicate or copy themselves to other networks in order to run or be copied again. Since they are unable to perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses.
Nevertheless, cookies can be used for negative purposes. Because they store information about users’ preferences and browsing history both on a particular website and across several other websites, cookies can be used as a form of spyware. Many anti-spyware programs take this into account and routinely flag cookies for deletion as part of deletion/antivirus/anti-spyware scanning procedures.
In general, browsers have built-in privacy settings that provide different levels of cookie acceptance, their lifespan, and automatic deletion after a user visits a particular website.
Tips for safe and responsible browsing using cookies.
- Configure your browser’s cookie settings so that they correspond to the level of security you are comfortable with when using cookies.
- If you share a computer, you can configure the browser to delete individual browsing data each time the browser is closed. This is one way to visit websites that place cookies and delete all information about the visit when the browsing session ends.
- Install and regularly update anti-spyware applications.
- Many spyware detection and prevention applications include a feature for detecting attacks on websites. In this way, they prevent the browser from accessing websites that may exploit browser vulnerabilities or download dangerous software.
How can I disable cookies?
Disabling and refusing to receive cookies may make some websites unusable or make them difficult to visit and use.
The browser can be configured so that these cookies are no longer accepted, or the browser can be configured to accept cookies only from a particular website. However, for example, if a visitor is not registered using cookies, they will not be able to leave comments.
All modern browsers allow cookie settings to be changed. As a rule, these settings can be found in the browser’s Options / Settings menu or Settings / Favorites menu.