Inform cookies
Information about cookies on a website
The http://azura.ro/ website uses cookies.
The information presented below is intended to bring to the user's attention more details about the placement, use and management of cookies used by the http://azura.ro/ website. There are also some useful links related to this topic.
Please read the following information carefully:
This website uses its own and third party cookies to provide visitors with a much better browsing experience and services tailored to the needs and interests of each visitor.
In what we call "web 2.0", cookies play an important role in facilitating access and delivery of the many services that the user enjoys on the internet, such as:
- Customize certain settings such as: the language in which a site is displayed, the currency in which certain prices or tariffs are expressed, keeping options for various products (measurements, other details, etc.) in the shopping cart (and memorizing these options) - thus generating the flexibility of the "shopping cart" (accessing old preferences by clicking the "back" and "forward" buttons)
- Cookies provide site owners with valuable feedback on how their sites are being used by users, so that they can make them even more effective and user-friendly.
- Allow multimedia and other applications from other websites to be embedded on a website to create a more valuable, useful and enjoyable browsing experience;
- Improve the efficiency of online advertising.
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 any software programs, viruses or spyware and cannot access the 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 lifetime 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 to be used and, in most cases, do not personally identify internet users.
There are 2 broad categories of cookies:
- Session cookies - these are temporarily stored in the cookie folder of the web browser so that the browser remembers them until the user exits the website or closes the browser window (e.g. when logging in/out of a webmail or social networking account).
- Persistent Cookies - These are stored on the hard-drive of a computer or device (and generally depend on the cookie's default lifetime). 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 the most relevant advertising can be delivered to users.
What are the advantages of cookies?
A cookie contains information that links 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 lifetime of a cookie?
Cookies are managed by webservers. The lifetime 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 not retained once the user has left the website and some cookies are retained and reused each time the user returns to that website ('permanent 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 applicable law and the privacy policies of the website owner.
How cookies are used by this website
A visit to this website may place cookies for the following purposes:
- Site performance cookies
- Visitor analysis cookies
- Geotargeting cookies
- Registration cookies
- Advertising cookies
- Advertisers' cookies
These cookies may come from the following third parties: Google, Facebook, SATI, Httpool, SPA.
Performance cookies
This type of cookie retains the user's preferences on this site, so there is no need to set them each time the site is visited.
Example:
- volume settings for the video player
- the video streaming speed the browser supports
Cookies for visitor analytics
Each time a user visits this site analytics software provided by a third party generates a user analytics cookie. This cookie tells us whether you have visited this site before. Your browser will tell us if you have this cookie and if not, we will generate one. It allows us to track unique users who visit us and how often they do so. As long as you are not registered on this site, this cookie cannot be used to identify individuals, they are used for statistical purposes only. If you are registered we may also know the details you have provided to us, such as your e-mail address and username - these are subject to the privacy and confidentiality provisions of our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy as well as the provisions of the legislation in force on the protection of personal data.
Geotargeting cookies
These cookies are used by software that determines which country you come from. It is completely anonymous and is only used to target the content - even when you are on our page in English or another language you receive the same advertisement.
Registration cookies
When you register on this site, we generate a cookie that tells us whether you are registered or not. Our servers use these cookies to tell us which account you are registered with and whether you have permission for a particular service. It also allows us to associate any comments you post on our site with your username. If you have not selected "keep me logged in", this cookie will automatically delete itself when you close your browser or computer.
Advertising cookies
These cookies allow us to track whether or not you have viewed an online advertisement, the type of advertisement and how long it has been since you saw the advertisement. We also use these cookies to target online advertising. We may also use cookies belonging to a third party for better targeting of advertising, for example, to show advertisements about vacations if the user has recently visited an article on the site about vacations. These cookies are anonymous, they store information about the content viewed, not about the users. We also set anonymous cookies through other sites on which we advertise. By receiving them, so we can use them to recognize you as a visitor to that site if you subsequently visit our site, we will be able to deliver advertising to you based on that information.
Advertisers' cookies
Much of the advertising you find on this site belongs to third parties. Some of these third parties use their own anonymous cookies to analyze how many people have been exposed to an advertisement, or to see how many people have been exposed to the same advertisement multiple times. The companies that generate these cookies have their own privacy policies, and this site does not have access to read or write these cookies. Third party cookies may be used to show you targeted advertising on other sites based on your browsing on this site.
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. Because of the way it is used, this site cannot access these cookies, just as third parties cannot access cookies owned by this site. For example, when you share an article using the social network button located on this 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 the browser until the cookie expires or is deleted.
The cookie stores important information that enhances the Internet browsing experience (e.g.: setting the language in which you want to access a website; keeping a user logged into a webmail account; online banking security; keeping products in your shopping cart)
Why are cookies important for the Internet?
Cookies are central to the efficient functioning of the Internet, helping to generate a user-friendly browsing experience tailored to each user's preferences and interests. Refusing or disabling cookies may make some sites unusable. Rejecting or disabling cookies does not mean that you will no longer receive online advertising - it just means that it will no longer be able to take into account your preferences and interests as evidenced by your browsing behavior.
Examples of important uses of cookies (which do not require authentication of a user via an account):
- Content and services tailored to user preferences - news categories, weather, sport, maps, public and government services, entertainment sites and travel services.
- Offers tailored to users' interests - password retention, language preferences (e.g. display search results in Romanian).
- Retain child protection filters for Internet content (family mode options, safe search functions).
- Limiting ad frequency - limiting the number of times an advertisement is shown to a particular user on a website.
- Provide more relevant advertising to the user.
- Measurement, optimization and analytics features - such as confirming a certain level of traffic to a website, what type of content is being viewed and how a user gets to a website (e.g. through search engines, directly, from other websites etc.) Websites run these analytics on their usage to improve their websites for the benefit of their 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 autorun. Consequently, they cannot be duplicated or replicated on other networks to run or replicate themselves again. Because they cannot perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses. Cookies can still be used for negative purposes. Because they store information about users' preferences and browsing history, both on a particular site and on many other sites, cookies can be used as a form of Spyware. Many anti-spyware products are aware of this fact and constantly mark cookies for deletion as part of their anti-virus/anti-spyware removal/scanning procedures.
In general, browsers have built-in privacy settings that provide different levels of cookie acceptance, validity period and automatic deletion after the user has visited a particular site. Other security issues related to cookies As identity protection is very valuable and is the right of every Internet user, it is advisable to be aware of the possible problems that cookies can create. Because cookies constantly transmit information back and forth between the browser and the website, if an attacker or unauthorized person intervenes in the data transmission, the information contained in the cookie can be intercepted. Although very rarely, this can happen 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 prompt the browser to use only encrypted channels, attackers can use this vulnerability to trick browsers into sending information through insecure channels. Attackers then use the information to gain unauthorized access to certain websites. It is very important to be careful in choosing the most appropriate way to protect your personal information.
Tips for safe and responsible browsing based on cookies. Because of their flexibility and the fact that most of the most visited and biggest sites use cookies, they are almost unavoidable. Disabling cookies will not allow the user to access the most popular and widely used sites including Youtube, Gmail, Yahoo and others.
Here are some tips that can make sure you don't have to worry about navigating with cookies:
- Customize your browser's cookie settings to reflect a level of cookie security that you are comfortable with.
- If you don't mind cookies and you are the only person who uses your computer, you can set monthly expiration terms for storing your browsing history and personal access data.
- If you share access to your computer, you may consider setting your browser to delete individual browsing data each time you close your browser. This is an alternative to accessing sites that place cookies and deleting any visiting information when you close your browsing session.
- Install and constantly update your anti-spyware applications.
Many spyware detection and prevention applications include website attack detection.
This prevents the browser from accessing websites that could exploit browser vulnerabilities or download dangerous software. Make sure your browser is always up-to-date. Many cookie-based attacks exploit weaknesses in older versions of browsers.
Cookies are everywhere and cannot be avoided if you want to enjoy access to the best and biggest sites on the Internet - local or international. With a clear understanding of how they work and the benefits they bring, you can take the necessary security measures so that you can confidently surf the Internet.
How can I stop cookies?
Disabling and refusing to receive cookies may make certain websites impracticable or difficult to visit and use. Also, refusing to accept cookies does not mean that you will no longer receive/see online advertising.
It is possible to set your browser to stop accepting these cookies or you can set your browser to accept cookies from a specific site. But, for example, if you are not registered using cookies, you 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" or "preferences" menu of your browser.
In order to understand these settings, the following links may be useful, otherwise you can use the "help" option of your browser for more details.
Cookie settings in Internet Explorer
Cookie settings in Firefox
Cookie settings in Chrome
Cookie settings in Safari
For third-party cookie settings, please also consult the website: http://www.youronlinechoices.com/ro/
Useful links
If you want to know more about cookies and what they are used for, we recommend the following links:
Microsoft Cookies guide
All About Cookies
IAB Romania provides the following website to provide more information on online advertising privacy: http://www.youronlinechoices.com/ro/
For more details on privacy issues, you can also access the following links:
- http://www.guardian.co.uk/info/cookies
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