Usage of Cookies The information provided below aims to inform users about the placement, usage, and management of cookies on the agrobiobrichet.ro website. Please read the following details carefully: This website utilizes cookies to enhance the browsing experience for visitors and to deliver services tailored to individual needs and interests. Cookies may originate from various third parties, including Google Analytics, Google.com, and agrobiobrichet.ro. A comprehensive list of third-party cookies can be found in the Third Party Cookies section. "Cookies" are designed to facilitate access and delivery of services utilized by internet users, such as customization of certain settings (language, country, displayed prices in local currency). Based on the data collected about users, cookies assist website owners in optimizing their products for easier access and improving the efficiency of online advertising. Additionally, they may enable the inclusion of multimedia or other applications from external websites to enrich browsing experience.
What is a "Cookie"? A cookie ("browser cookie" or "HTTP cookie") is a small file composed of letters and numbers that is stored on any internet-connected device (computer, mobile phone, tablet, etc.) and is installed via a request issued by a web server to a browser (e.g., Internet Explorer, Chrome). Note: "Cookies" do not contain software programs, viruses, or spyware and cannot access information on the user’s hard drive. Cookies do not solicit personal information and cannot identify internet users. A cookie is comprised of a name and content, with a set duration of existence, and may be accessed again by the web server when a user revisits the corresponding website.
Types of Cookies:
- Session Cookies: These are temporarily stored in the browser history and are retained until the user exits the website or closes the browser window.
- Persistent Cookies: These are stored on the hard drive of the device for a predetermined duration. Persistent cookies also include those placed by websites other than the ones the user is currently visiting, known as "third-party cookies," which can be used anonymously to remember user interests and to deliver relevant advertising.
Benefits of Cookies Cookies contain information that links users to specific websites. When a browser accesses that web server again, it can read the stored information and respond accordingly. Cookies contribute to a pleasant browsing experience and support various websites in delivering convenient services, such as:
- Online privacy preferences
- Website language options
- Shopping cart functionalities
- Relevant advertising
Cookie Lifetime The lifetime of a cookie varies depending on its intended purpose. Some cookies are used solely for a single session and are not retained after the user leaves the website. Permanent cookies are retained and reused each time the user revisits the site, but can be deleted at any time by the user.
Third-Party Cookies Certain content within specific websites might be installed by third parties through banners, boxes, or links, all of which may contain cookies. These are referred to as "third-party cookies" because they are not placed by the website owner, and these third-party providers are subject to their own applicable laws and privacy policies.
How Cookies Are Utilized by This Site A visit to this site may result in cookies being placed for the following purposes:
- Site Performance Cookies
- Visitor Analytics Cookies
- Geotargeting Cookies
- Registration Cookies
- Advertising Cookies
- Advertising Vendor Cookies
Performance Cookies This type of cookie maintains user preferences on the site, negating the need to set them upon each visit. For instance, volume settings for video playback or video streaming speeds supported by the browser.
Visitor Analytics Cookies Each time a user visits this site, analytics software from a third party generates a user analytics cookie. This cookie indicates whether the user has previously visited the site. The browser verifies if this cookie exists, and if it does not, one is generated. This allows us to track unique users and their visit frequency. Unless registered on the site, this cookie cannot identify individuals and is used exclusively for statistical purposes. If registered, we may recognize the details provided, like your email address and username, which are protected under our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and applicable data protection legislation.
Geotargeting Cookies These cookies utilize software to identify the user’s country of origin. They operate anonymously and serve only to target content effectively; even if a user is on our page in English or another language, the same advertisements are shown.
Registration Cookies Upon registration, we generate a cookie that identifies your registered status. Our servers use these cookies to determine your account details and permissions for specific services, allowing us to associate comments you post on our site with your username. If the user does not select "keep me logged in," this cookie is automatically deleted upon closing the browser or computer.
Advertising Cookies These cookies help us ascertain if you have viewed an online advertisement, the type of advertisement, and the duration since you last viewed it. Advertising cookies also aid in targeting online ads. We may employ third-party cookies for enhanced ad targeting based on content viewed on our site. These cookies operate anonymously, storing data about viewed content, not about users. We also set anonymous cookies through other platforms we advertise on, allowing us to recognize you as a visitor when you subsequently visit our site.
Advertising Provider Cookies Much of the advertising encountered on this site originates from third parties. Some of these entities use their own anonymous cookies to analyze how many users have seen a particular advertisement and how frequently the same advertisement has been displayed. The companies responsible for these cookies adhere to their privacy policies, which this site cannot access or modify. Third-party cookies may be utilized to deliver targeted advertising across other sites based on browsing actions on this site.
Other Third-Party Cookies Certain pages may allow third parties to set their own anonymous cookies to track the success of an application or to customize an application. Due to the nature of their use, this site cannot access these cookies, just as third parties cannot access our site’s cookies. For example, sharing an article using a social network button may record your activity on that network.
Information Stored and Accessed Through Cookies Cookies store information in a small text file that enables a website to recognize a browser. The web server continues to recognize the browser until the cookie expires or is deleted. Cookies store significant information that enhances internet browsing experiences, such as:
- Language settings for accessing a website
- Keeping a user logged into a webmail account
- Online banking security
- Retaining items in a shopping cart
Importance of Cookies for the Internet Cookies play a pivotal role in ensuring the efficient operation of the internet, allowing for a user-friendly browsing experience tailored to individual preferences and interests. Disabling or refusing cookies may render some sites unusable. Additionally, rejecting cookies does not eliminate online advertisements; rather, it means that those ads will not reflect user preferences and interests based on browsing behavior.
Examples of key cookie applications (not requiring user authentication via an account) include:
- Customizing content and services to user preferences
- Personalized offers based on interests
- Maintaining child protection filters on internet content
- Limiting advertisement frequency
- Delivering relevant advertisements
- Measurement, optimization, and analytics functions
Security and Privacy Issues Cookies are NOT viruses! They utilize plain text formats, do not consist of code, and therefore cannot execute or self-replicate. Consequently, they are not classified as viruses. However, cookies can be misused since they store information about user preferences and browsing history across various sites. This capability can lead to them being exploited as a form of spyware. Many anti-spyware products recognize this risk and flag cookies for deletion during their scanning procedures. Browsers generally have built-in privacy settings that stipulate varying levels of cookie acceptance, validity periods, and automatic deletion after site visits.
Other Security Issues Relating to Cookies Given the vital importance of identity protection, internet users should be aware of potential cookie-related issues. As cookies transmit information between the browser and the website, unauthorized parties could intercept this data if the browser connects using an unencrypted network (e.g., unsecured WiFi). Moreover, incorrect cookie settings on servers can lead to attacks wherein encrypted connection requirements are overlooked, allowing attackers to trick browsers into submitting information over insecure channels. This makes it crucial for users to adopt effective strategies to safeguard their personal data.
Tips for Safe and Responsible Browsing Related to Cookies Due to their functionality and the prevalence of cookies on popular and large-scale sites, they are nearly unavoidable. Disabling cookies will hinder access to major and widely-used sites such as YouTube, Gmail, Yahoo, and others. Here are some best practices for secure browsing:
- Customize your browser’s cookie settings to achieve a level of security that you are comfortable with.
- If you don’t mind cookies and are the sole user of your device, consider setting monthly expiration times for storing browsing history and personal login details.
- If your computer is shared, you may opt to configure your browser to erase browsing history whenever you close it, ensuring that visiting information is deleted at the end of each session.
- Regularly install and update anti-spyware applications. Many such applications include website attack detection that prevents browsers from accessing sites that could exploit vulnerabilities or distribute malicious software.
- Ensure your browser is always up-to-date, as many cookie-related attacks exploit weaknesses present in outdated browser versions.
Cookies are omnipresent, and full browsing access to the best local and international sites necessitates their use. By comprehending their functionality and benefits, users can implement necessary security measures for confident internet browsing.
Disabling and Refusing Cookies Rejecting or disabling cookies can render certain websites impractical or difficult to navigate. Additionally, rejecting cookies does not eliminate the display of online ads; it simply means they will not be tailored to your preferences. It is possible to configure your browser to block cookie acceptance or to allow cookies only from specific sites. For instance, if you are not registered and reject cookies, you will be unable to submit comments. All modern browsers provide options to modify cookie settings, generally located in the "options" or "preferences" menu. For guidance on setting third-party cookie settings, IAB Romania provides the following website: youronlinechoices.com/ro/. To better understand these settings, consult the following links or use the "help" option within your browser for further details:
- Cookie settings in Internet Explorer
- Cookie settings in Firefox
- Cookie settings in Chrome
- Cookie settings in Safari
Useful Links For additional information on cookies and their applications, we recommend the following resources:
