In order to comply with the requirements established by LAW No. 133 of 08.07.2011 regarding 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 required to give their consent before cookies are transmitted to their computers.
This website uses its own cookies and third-party cookies to provide visitors with a much better browsing experience and services tailored to each individual’s needs and interests.
Cookies play an important role in facilitating access to and delivery of the multiple services that users enjoy on the internet, such as:
Personalizing certain settings, such as the language in which a website is viewed, accessing previous preferences through the “back” and “forward” buttons.
Providing website owners with valuable feedback on how their websites are used by users, so that they can make them even more efficient and accessible.
Allowing multimedia or other applications from other websites to be included within a certain website to create a more valuable, useful, and pleasant 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 device, or other equipment from which the Internet is accessed.
The cookie is installed through 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 two parts: the name and the content or value of the cookie. Furthermore, the lifespan of a cookie is determined; technically, only the web server that sent the cookie can access it again when a user returns to the website associated with that web server.
Cookies themselves do not require personal information in order to be used and, in most cases, do not personally identify internet users.
There are two main categories of cookies:
Session cookies
These are temporarily stored in the web browser’s cookie folder so that it can remember 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
These are stored on a computer’s or device’s hard drive (and generally depend on the pre-set lifetime of the cookie). Persistent cookies also include those placed by another website than the one the user is currently visiting — known as “third party cookies” — which may be used anonymously to remember a user’s interests in order to deliver advertising that is as relevant as possible.
What are the advantages of cookies?
A cookie contains information that links a web browser (the user) and 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 ensure users a pleasant browsing experience and support the efforts of many websites to offer comfortable services to users, such as online privacy preferences, website 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 leaves the website, while some cookies are retained and reused every time the user returns to that website (persistent cookies). However, cookies can be deleted by a user at any time through browser settings.
What are third-party cookies?
Certain sections of content on some websites may be provided through third parties/providers (e.g., a news box, a video, or an 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 that website. Third-party providers must also comply with the applicable law and the website owner’s privacy policies.
How are cookies used by a website?
A visit to a website may place cookies for:
improving website performance;
visitor analysis;
geotargeting;
user registration.
Performance cookies
This type of cookie stores a user’s preferences on this website so that they no longer need to be set at each visit.
Examples: video player volume settings, video streaming speed compatible with the browser.
Visitor analysis cookies
Each time a user visits a website, analytics software provided by a third party generates a user analysis cookie. This cookie tells whether you have visited this website before. The browser will signal if you have this cookie, and if not, one will be generated. It allows monitoring of unique users who visit the website and how often they do so.
As long as the visitor is not registered on the website, this cookie cannot be used to identify individuals; it is used only for statistical purposes. If the user is registered, details provided, such as email address and username, may also be known — these being subject to confidentiality in accordance with applicable personal data protection legislation.
Geotargeting cookies
These cookies are used by software that determines which country you come from. It is completely anonymous and is used only to target content — even when the visitor is on the Romanian-language page or another language page, the same advertisement will be received.
Registration cookies
When you register on a website, a cookie is generated that notifies 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 certain service. It also allows any comment posted on the website to be associated with your username. If you have not selected “keep me logged in,” this cookie will automatically be deleted when you close the browser or 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 an article using the 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 enhances the Internet browsing experience (for example: language settings for accessing a website; keeping a user logged into a webmail account; online banking security; keeping products in the shopping cart).
Why are cookies important for the Internet?
Cookies are central to the efficient functioning of the Internet, helping to generate a friendly browsing experience tailored to each user’s preferences and interests. Refusing or disabling cookies may make some websites impossible to use.
Examples of important uses of cookies (which do not require user authentication through an account):
Content and services adapted to user preferences — news categories, weather, sports, maps, public and governmental services, entertainment websites, and travel services.
Offers adapted to user interests — remembering passwords, language preferences (e.g., displaying search results in Romanian).
Retaining 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 reaches a website (e.g., through search engines, directly, from other websites). Websites perform these analyses of their usage to improve their 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 or self-executed. Consequently, they cannot duplicate or replicate themselves on other networks in order to run or replicate again. Since they cannot perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses.
However, cookies can be used for negative purposes. Because they store information about users’ preferences and browsing history, both on a specific website and across multiple other websites, cookies can be used as a form of spyware. Many anti-spyware products are aware of this fact and constantly mark cookies for deletion during anti-virus/anti-spyware deletion/scanning procedures.
In general, browsers have built-in privacy settings that provide different levels of cookie acceptance, validity periods, and automatic deletion after a user has visited a particular website.
Tips for safe and responsible browsing based on cookies
Customize your browser settings regarding cookies to reflect a comfortable level of security for you.
If you share access to your computer, you may consider setting the browser to delete individual browsing data each time you close the browser. This is one way to access websites that place cookies and delete any visit information when the browsing session is closed.
Install and regularly update anti-spyware applications.
Many spyware detection and prevention applications include website attack detection. Thus, they prevent the browser from accessing websites that could exploit browser vulnerabilities or download dangerous software.
How can I stop cookies?
Disabling and refusing to receive cookies may make certain websites impractical or difficult to visit and use.
It is possible to set the browser so that these cookies are no longer accepted, or the browser can be set to accept cookies from a specific website. However, for example, if a visitor is not registered using cookies, they 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” / “Favorites” menu of your browser.
To understand these settings, the following links may be useful:
Cookie settings in Microsoft Edge
Cookie settings in Firefox
Cookie settings in Chrome
Cookie settings in Safari