Cookies Policy

Please read the following information carefully:

In order to comply with the requirements set out in   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 website visitors are asked for consent before cookies are sent to their computers.

This website uses its own and third-party cookies to provide visitors with a much better browsing experience and services tailored to each person’s needs and interests.

Cookies play an important role in facilitating access and delivery of the multiple services that the user enjoys on the internet, such as:

• Customizing certain settings such as: the language in which a site is viewed, accessing old preferences by accessing the ”forward” and ”back” buttons.
• Cookies provide website owners with valuable feedback on how their websites are used by users, so they can make them even more efficient and accessible to users.
• They allow multimedia or other applications from other sites to be included in a particular site to create a more valuable, useful and enjoyable browsing experience.

What is a “cookie”?

An “Internet Cookie” (also known as  a “browser cookie ” or “ HTTP cookie ” or simply “ cookie ”) is a small file, made up of letters and numbers, that will be stored on a user’s computer, mobile terminal or other equipment from which the Internet is accessed.

The cookie is installed by a request issued by a web server to a browser ( e.g. Internet Explorer, Chrome ) and is completely “ passive ” ( it does not contain software programs, 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. Furthermore, the duration of a cookie’s existence 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 main categories of cookies:

1. Session cookies – these are temporarily stored in the web browser’s cookie folder so that it remembers them until the user leaves the respective website or closes the browser window (e.g. when logging in/out of a webmail account or on social networks).
2. Persistent cookies – these are stored on the hard drive of a computer or device (and generally depend on the cookie’s default lifespan). 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 remember a user’s interests so that advertising can be delivered to users in a more relevant way. 

What are the advantages of cookies?

A cookie contains information that connects a web browser (the user) to 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 provide users with a pleasant browsing experience and support the efforts of many websites to provide convenient services to users : e.g.  online privacy preferences, site language options, 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 has left the website, and some cookies are retained and reused each time the user returns to that website ( persistent cookies ). However, cookies can be deleted by a user at any time through the browser settings.

What are third-party cookies ?

Certain sections of content on some websites may be provided by third parties/providers (e.g.  news box, video or advertisement ). 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 website in question. Third party providers must also comply with applicable law and the privacy policies of the website owner. 

How cookies are used by a website.

A visit to a website may place cookies for:

• increasing website performance;
• a visitor analysis;
• geotargetting;
• user registration. 

Performance cookies

This type of cookie remembers the user’s preferences on this site, so there is no need to set them each time you visit the site.

Examples: volume settings for the video player, video streaming speed that the browser is compatible with.

Cookies for visitor analysis

Every time a user visits a site, the analytics software provided by a third party generates a user analysis cookie. This cookie tells you whether you have visited this site before. The browser will signal if you have this cookie, and if not, one will be generated. This allows us to monitor the unique users who visit the site and how often they do so.

As long as the visitor is not registered on the site, this cookie cannot be used to identify individuals, they are used only for statistical purposes. If registered, the details provided, such as the email address and username, can also be known – these being subject to confidentiality, according to the provisions of the legislation in force regarding the protection of personal data.

Geotargeting cookies

These cookies are used by software that determines which country you are from. It is completely anonymous and is only used to target content – even when the visitor is on the page in Romanian or another language, the same advertisement will be received.

Registration cookies

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

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.

For example, when you share an article using a social media button on a website, 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 web server will recognize the browser until the cookie expires or is deleted.

The cookie stores important information that improves the Internet browsing experience (e.g.  language settings in which a site is accessed; keeping a user logged into the webmail account; online banking security; keeping products in the shopping cart )

Why are cookies important to the Internet?

Cookies are central to the efficient functioning of the Internet, helping to generate a friendly browsing experience tailored to the preferences and interests of each user. Refusing or disabling cookies may make some sites impossible to use.

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

• Content and services tailored to user preferences – categories of news, weather, sports, maps, public and government services, entertainment sites and travel services.
• Offers tailored to users’ interests – password retention, language preferences (e.g. displaying search results in Romanian ).
• Retention of child protection filters regarding 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 (e.g.,  through search engines, directly, from other websites ). Websites conduct these analyses of their usage to improve the sites for the benefit of 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, nor can they self-execute. 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.

Cookies can, however, be used for negative purposes. Because they store information about users’ preferences and browsing history, both on a particular site and across multiple 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 as part of their anti-virus/anti-spyware scan/deletion procedures.

Generally, browsers have integrated privacy settings that provide different levels of cookie acceptance, validity period, and automatic deletion after the user has visited a particular site.

Tips for safe and responsible browsing, based on cookies.

• Customize your browser settings regarding cookies to reflect a comfortable level of cookie security for you.
• If you share a computer, you may want to consider setting your browser to clear individual browsing data each time you close your browser. This is one way to access sites that place cookies and delete any browsing information when you close your browsing session.
• Install and constantly update your antispyware applications.
• Many spyware detection and prevention applications include website attack detection, which prevents the browser from accessing websites that could exploit browser vulnerabilities or download malicious software.

How can I turn off cookies?

Disabling and refusing to receive cookies may make certain sites impractical or difficult to visit and use.

It is possible to set your browser to no longer accept these cookies, or to set your browser to accept cookies from a specific site. But, for example, if a visitor is not registered using cookies, they will not be able to leave comments.

All modern browsers offer the ability to change cookie settings. These settings are usually found in the  browser’s Options /Settings  or  Preferences / Favorites menu  .