Cookie policy
To comply with the requirements set by the EU Directive of 26 May 2012 and the provisions of Law no. 506 of 17 November 2004 on the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector, all the website visitors are required to consent to the transmission of cookies on their computers.
This website uses its own cookies, as well as third-party cookies to provide visitors a much better browsing experience and services tailored to their needs and interests.
Cookies play an important role in facilitating the access and delivery of multiple services the user can benefit from on the Internet, such as:
- Customize certain settings such as: the language in which a site is viewed, accessing old preferences by accessing the "forward" and "back" buttons.
- Cookies provide site owners with valuable feedback on how their sites are used by users so they can make them more effective and accessible to users.
What is a cookie?
An "Internet Cookie" (also known as "cookie browser" or "HTTP cookie" or simply "cookie") is a small file consisting of letters and numbers that will be stored on the computer, mobile phone or other equipment of a user accessing the Internet.
The cookie is installed by a web-server sending a request to a browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Chrome), and it is completely "passive" (it does not contain any software, viruses or spyware and cannot access the information on the user’s hard drive).
A cookie consists of two parts: the name and the content or the cookie value. Furthermore, the duration of a cookie is determined; technically, only the webserver that sent the cookie can access it again when a user returns to the website associated with that webserver.
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 large categories of cookies:
- Session cookies - they are temporarily stored in the web browser's cookie folder to save them until the user exits the site or closes the browser window (for example, when logging in / out of a webmail or social networking account).
- Persistent cookies - these are stored on the hard drive of a computer or equipment (and generally depends on the default cookie lifetime). Persistent cookies also include those placed on a website other than the one the user is currently visiting - known as 'third party cookies' - which can be used anonymously to store the interests of a user so as to deliver the most relevant advertising to users.
What are the benefits of cookies?
A cookie contains information linking a web browser (user) and a specific web-server (website). If a browser accesses that web-server again, it can read the already stored information and respond accordingly.
Cookies ensure users a pleasant browsing experience and support the efforts of many websites to provide user-friendly services: ex - online privacy preferences, site language options, shopping carts, or relevant advertising.
What is the lifetime for a cookie?
Certain sections of content on some sites may be provided through third parties / vendors (e.g. 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 vendors must also comply with the applicable law and privacy policies of the site owner.
How cookies are used by a site.
A visit on a website may place cookies for:
- Increasing website performance;
- Visitors’ analysis;
- Geotargeting;
- User registration.
Performance cookies
This type of cookie retains the user's preferences on this site, so they no longer need to be set on every site visit.
Examples: Volume settings for video player, video streaming speed compatible with the browser.
Cookies for visitor analysis
Every time a user visits a site, analytics software provided by a third party generates a user analysis cookie. This cookie tells you if you've visited this site before. The browser will flag you if you have this cookie, and if not, one will be generated. It allows monitoring unique users who visit the site and how often they do it.
As long as the visitor is not registered on the site, this cookie cannot be used to identify individuals, it is used for statistical purposes only. If registered, you may also know the details provided, such as your email address and username – which are subject to confidentiality, in accordance with the legislation in force on the protection of personal data.
Cookies for geotargeting
These cookies are used by a software that determines where you come from. It is completely anonymous and is used only to target the content - when the visitor is on a page in Romanian or in another language, the same advertisement will be received.
Cookies for registration
When you sign up on a site, a cookie is generated to tell you if you are registered or not. Servers use these cookies to show the account you are registered on, and if you have permission for a specific service. They also allow the association of any comment posted on the site with your username. If you have not selected "keep me registered", this cookie will automatically be deleted when you close your browser or turn off your computer.
Other third-party cookies
On some pages, third parties can set their own anonymous cookies to track the success of an app or customize an app.
For example, when you share an article using the social network button on a site, that social network will record your activity.
What type 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 your browser until the cookie expires or is deleted.
Cookies store important information that improves the Internet browsing experience (e.g. language settings to access a site, keeping a user logged on the webmail account, online banking security, keeping products in the shopping cart).
Why are Cookies important for the Internet?
Cookies are the core of the efficient operation of the Internet, helping to generate a friendly browsing experience, tailored to the preferences and interests of each user. Denying or disabling cookies can make some sites impossible to use.
Examples of important uses of cookies (which do not require authentication of a user on an account):
- Content and services tailored to user preferences - news, weather, sports, maps, public and government services, entertainment sites and travel services.
- Offers tailored to the users' interests - password retention, language preferences (e.g. display of search results in Romanian).
- Retain child protection filters for content on the Internet (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 reaches a website (e.g. using search engines directly from other websites). Websites run these analyses of their use to improve sites for the benefit of users.
Security and confidentiality issues
Cookies are NOT Viruses! They use plain text formats. They are not made up of pieces of code, so they cannot be run, nor can they run themselves. Consequently, they cannot duplicate or replicate on other networks to run or replicate again. Since they cannot perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses.
Nevertheless, cookies can be used for negative purposes. By storing 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 consistently mark cookies to be deleted in anti-virus / anti-spyware removal / scanning procedures.
Usually, browsers have integrated privacy settings that provide different levels of cookie acceptance, lifespan, and automatic deletion after the user has visited a particular site.
Tips for safe and responsible cookie-based browsing
- Customize your browser settings regarding cookies, to reflect a comfortable level for your cookie security.
- If you share your computer access, you can consider setting the browser to delete individual browsing data each time you close your browser. This is one way of accessing sites that place cookies and deleting any visitor information when closing 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 the browser’s vulnerabilities or download dangerous software.
How do I stop cookies?
Disabling and refusing to receive cookies can make some sites unusable or difficult to visit and use.
One can set the browser to disable the cookies, or set the browser to accept cookies only from a particular site. But, for instance, if a visitor is not registered using cookies, he will not be able to leave comments.
All modern browsers offer the possibility to change cookie settings. These settings are usually found in the Options / Settings menu or in the Preferences / Favourites menu of your browser.