This website uses cookies to provide visitors with a much better browsing experience and services tailored to each individual’s needs and interests.

Cookies are designed to facilitate access to and delivery of services used by internet users, such as personalizing settings (language, country, prices displayed in the local currency). Based on the information they collect about users, cookies help website owners optimize their products so they are easier for users to access. They also increase the effectiveness of online advertising and, last but not least, can allow multimedia or other types of applications from other website to be included on a given site to make browsing more useful.

A cookie (”browser cookie” or ”HTTP cookie”) is a small file, made up of letters and numbers, which is stored on any internet-enabled device (computer, mobile phone, tablet, etc.) and is installed through a request sent by a web server to a browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Chrome). It is important to note that cookies do not contain software programs, viruses or spyware, and they cannot access information on the user’s hard drive.

A cookie consists of a name and content, with defined lifespan, and it can ben accessed again by the web server when a user returns to the associated website.

Cookies do not request personal information and do not personally identify internet users.

Session cookies - These are temporarily stored in the browser’s history and are retained until the user leaves the website or closes the browser window.

Persistent cookies - These are stored, depending on the predetermined duration, on a computer’s or device’s hard drive. 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 more relevant advertising can be delivered to the user.

A cookie contains information that connects the user to a certain website. If a browser accesses that web-server again, it can read the already stored information and react accordingly.

There are cookies that are used exclusively for a single session - these aren’t retained after the user exists the website.

Permanent cookies - they are retained and re-used each time the user comes back to the website, but they can be deleted anytime by the user.

Sections of contents or services can be placed on the website by third-parties through banners, boxes or links - and all these instruments can contain cookies. They are called ”third party cookies” because they are not placed by the owner of the website, and third parties are subject to applicable laws and privacy policies of the website’s owner.

A visit on this site can place cookies with the following purposes:

• Cookies for analyzing visitors

• Sign-up cookies

Some cookies can come from third parties.

Each time an user visits this website, the analytics soft offered by a third party creates an analytic cookie of the user. This cookie tells us if you have visited the site before. The browser will tell us if you have this cookie, and if not, it will be generated. This allows the monitoring of unique users who visit us and how often they do it. This cookie cannot be used to identify physical persons, they are just used for statistical purposes.

On some pages, third parties can create their own anonymous cookies, to follow the success of an application or customize it. Because of the usage model, this website cannot access these cookies, just as third parties cannot access cookies owned by this website. For example, when you share a page using the social media button on the website, that social media platform will record your activity.

Cookies save information in a text file of small size which allows the website to recognize the browser. The webserver will recognize the browser until the cookie expires or is deleted. The cookie saves important information which betters the online browsing experience (for example, a reference number for your donation).

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

Refusing or disabling cookies does not mean you will no longer receive online advertising - it only means that such advertising will no longer be able to take into account your preferences and interests, as indicated by your browsing behavior.

Cookies are NOT viruses! They use plain text formats. They are not made up of executable code, so they cannot run on their own or auto-execute. Consequently, they cannot duplicate or replicate themselves across networks. Because they cannot perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses.

However, cookies can still be used for negative purposes. Since they store information about users’ preferences and browsing history, both on a specific site and across multiple sites, cookies can function as a form of spyware. Many anti-spyware products recognize this and constantly flag cookies for deletion during antivirus/ anti-spyware scanning procedures.

In general, browsers have built-in privacy settings that provide different levels of cookie acceptance, expiration periods, and automatic deletion after the user visits a particular site.

Since identity protection is highly valuable and represents the right of every internet user, it is important to be aware of the potential issues that cookies can create. Because cookies constantly transmit information back and forth between the browser and the website, if an attacker or unauthorized person interferes with the data transfer process, the information contained in the cookies can be intercepted. Although very rare, this can occur if the browser connects to the server using an unencrypted network (e.g., an unsecured WiFi network).

Other cookie based attacks involve incorrect cookie settings on servers. If a website does not require the browser to use only encrypted channels, attackers can exploit this vulnerability to trick browsers into sending information through unsecured channels. Attackers then use this information to gain unauthorized access to certain sites. It is very important to carefully choose the most appropriate method to protect your personal information.

Due to their flexibility and the fact that most of the most visited and largest websites use cookies, they are almost unavoidable. Disabling cookies will prevent users from accessing the most widely used sites, including YouTube, Gmail, Yahoo and others. Here are some tips to ensure you can browse safely while still benefiting from cookies:

• Customize your browser’s cookie settings to reflect a level of security you are comfortable with. If you don’t mind cookies and are the only person using the computer, you can set long expiration periods for storing browsing history and personal login data. If you share access to the computer, consider configuring your browser to delete individual browsing data every time you close it. This allows you to access sites that place cookies while clearing any visit information when your browsing session ends.

• Install and regularly update anti-spyware applications. Many spyware detection and prevention tools also detect attacks on websites, preventing the browser from accessing sites that could exploit browser vulnerabilities or download harmful software. Ensure your browser is always up to date, as many cookie-based attacks exploit weaknesses in older browser versions.

Cookies are everywhere and cannot be avoided if you want to enjoy access to the best and largest websites on the Internet - both local and international. With a clear understanding of how they operate and the benefits they provide, you can take the necessary security measures to browse the internet confidently.

Disabling or refusing to accept cookies can make certain websites impractical or difficult to visit and use. Also, refusing to accept cookies does not mean that you will no longer receive or see online advertising.

It is possible to configure your browser so that these cookies are no longer accepted, or you can set your browser to accept cookies only from a specific site. However, for example, if you choose not to use cookies, you may not be able to proceed with certain steps after completing a registration form.

All modern browsers allow you to change cookie settings. These settings are usually found in the ”Operations” or ”Preferences” menu of your browser.

For settings related to third-party cookies and for more information on privacy related to online advertising, IAB Romania provides the following website: http://www.youronlinechoices.com/ro/