What is a cookie?
The term “cookie” refers to a small data file consisting exclusively of a series of text-based information, which a website transfers to the web browser on your computer’s hard drive, either temporarily for the duration of your visit or sometimes for longer periods, depending on the type of cookie. Cookies perform various functions (for example, they distinguish you from other visitors of the same website or remember certain things about you, such as your preferences) and are used by most websites to improve your user experience. Each cookie is unique to your browser and contains certain anonymous information. A cookie usually contains the name of the domain from which the cookie originated, the “lifetime” of the cookie, and a value (usually in the form of a randomly generated unique number).
Types of cookies
The main types of cookies that websites may use are described below.
- Session cookies
These are temporary cookies that remain in your device’s browser cookie file only during your visit and are deleted when you close the browser.
- Persistent cookies
These remain in your device’s browser cookie file even after the browser is closed, sometimes for a year or more (the exact duration depends on the lifetime of each cookie). Persistent cookies are used when the website operator may need to know who you are across more than one visit (for example, to remember your username or your preferences for customizing the website).
- First-party cookies
These are cookies that are installed in your browser and/or on your device’s hard drive by the website you are visiting. This includes assigning you a unique identification code in order to track your browsing on the website. Website operators often use first-party cookies to manage visits and for identification purposes.
- Third-party cookies
These are cookies used by third parties, such as social networks, to track your visits to various websites on which they are advertised. The website operator has no control over these third-party cookies.
Cookies on this website and how to manage them
On this website, we use cookies to improve visitors’ experience of using the website. The operation of the website will be significantly affected if you disable or do not accept the use of cookies. Below is information about the third-party cookies we use on this website, including how to disable them and the impact of disabling them on the website’s operation. If you would like more information on how to manage certain types of cookies, including how to control or delete them, please visit: www.aboutcookies.org
Google Analytics cookies
Google Analytics cookies are performance/analytics cookies that allow us to collect anonymous information about how visitors use our website. These cookies can tell us how many visitors use the website, the time and duration of access, and also provide information about how visitors navigate through different parts of the website. This information helps us improve how our website works. It is anonymous information and does not contain personal data. The information collected by Google Analytics cookies about our website is transferred to and stored on Google servers in accordance with Google’s privacy policy. For more information about Google Analytics, please click https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245. You can disable Google Analytics tracking by clicking https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=en=GB. If you disable these cookies, your use of the website will not be counted or used in the statistics we collect to improve the services we provide through the website. The operation of the website will not be affected.
Video service provider cookies (Google, Vimeo, DailyMotion etc.)
These providers may place cookies on your device if you watch videos on our website that are provided as an external service. If you disable these cookies, you may not be able to view embedded videos on our website.
Social network cookies
Third-party social networks may place cookies on your device if you choose to share content from our website with them by clicking one of the embedded “Share” buttons. If you disable these cookies, the “Share” function will not be available.