This Cookie Policy (HTTP cookies) explains what cookies are and how we use them on the website you are visiting.
Here, you will learn about:
- What cookies are
- The types of cookies we use and the information we collect through them
- How this information is used
- How to manage cookie settings
What are cookies?
Cookies are small pieces of text sent to your browser by the website or web application you visit. They help store information about your visit, which can make it easier to revisit the site and make it more useful for you. Cookies are an integral part of how modern websites work.
It’s important to note that cookies are not computer programs and do not function like applications. They are merely a package of data transmitted between the user’s browser and the website’s server. As such, cookies cannot contain malware or viruses, they cannot access your hard drive, and they cannot take control of your computer. The reason why there is an informational obligation regarding cookie policies is related to privacy issues.
Cookies serve useful, and sometimes necessary, functions in navigating the internet. For example, they enable the storage of state information (such as items added to a shopping cart in an online store or the logged-in status in an online banking system) on the user’s device or tracking user browsing activity (most website personalization and social media integrations rely on cookies in one way or another).
Where are cookies stored?
Cookies are placed on the device used to access the website (this could be a computer, smartphone, tablet, TV, etc.). In practice, when you visit a site, the site sends cookies to your device, and the device stores them in the browser’s files.
What about privacy and security?
Since cookies are just harmless text files, why all the fuss? Why, according to regulations (see the laws), was there a need for an informational obligation about cookies? The issue is not so much about security as it is about privacy. Although in terms of security, some caution is needed, for example, you should avoid using the “remember passwords and forms” option (which uses cookies) on someone else’s computer.
As for privacy and cookies, the issue originally concerned tracking systems and advertising systems. With a large advertising network, some companies, whose cookies are supported by many websites, can more accurately target user preferences, which may infringe on their privacy.
In practice, this might look like searching for something online, visiting different websites, and then seeing ads related to your search for some time afterward. This entire mechanism is supported by data stored in cookies. When visiting a site containing ads, a script reads cookies from previous sessions, and based on this, the appropriate algorithms match the content. This is where the privacy issue arises. The question is: To what extent do we want our internet searches to be used for marketing purposes?
How are cookies used? – Three types of cookies
We already know that websites use HTTP cookies to improve the internet experience. Cookie functions on websites can be divided into three categories, representing three types of data:
- User session management – User sessions facilitate secure interaction between the user and a service or application. As the user continues to interact with a web application, requests help track the user’s status during the session. In practice, these cookies are used for logging in, auto-filling form fields, shopping lists, etc. Session cookies, also known as temporary cookies, exist only in temporary memory (while the user is on the website). Browsers typically delete session cookies when the user closes the browser window.
- User personalization – User personalization stores the user’s preferences and settings for reuse when the user logs in or launches an application. Settings are stored and synced with a central database to help users return to their preferred settings used during their first interaction with the application. Examples include user settings, themes, and site language.
- Tracking – Tracking records and analyzes the user’s web browsing habits and counts the number and types of sites visited. Details include time spent on the site and the sequence of pages in the user’s sessions. Due to the sensitive information related to tracking, users should be aware of security vulnerabilities when visiting unsecured websites. Such cookies are used for statistics and marketing purposes.
Our website uses cookies
You are using our website according to your browser or device settings. If your settings allow the storage of cookies, they will be stored.
Outlined cookie activities on our website:
- Improved site navigation – Cookies may sometimes help check a user’s previous preferences, allowing scripts to present more tailored content, enhancing website performance.
- New vs. returning user – We may check whether you are a new or returning user, allowing us to tailor the site to avoid showing you the same information repeatedly and show special content for returning users, such as a newsletter banner.
- Statistics and analysis – Cookies allow us to use statistics and analyses to learn about user preferences and origins. This helps us properly develop our portal in the right direction, increasing its efficiency by understanding what is most popular.
- Shopping carts and payments – If the site has a shopping cart, payment options, etc., these mechanisms use cookies.
- Login for subscribers – If the site allows logging in – available only to subscribers, logged-in users, it uses cookies.
- Security – Cookies can be used to ensure security and detect abuse within the service.
- Voting and rating – If the site allows voting/rating, it may use cookies.
- Affiliate tracking – If there is affiliate/partner program tracking, it uses cookies to track referrals.
- Ads and performance tracking – If ads are displayed, cookies allow basic tracking and effectiveness measurement.
- Version testing – The website may use cookies to test different versions of the website.
- Error monitoring – Cookies help us monitor and quickly fix errors on the site.
Cookies from related websites:
We use external services that may use cookies. These cookies allow third parties to recognize that you have visited our website. We and our external service providers may also combine information obtained from these cookies with personal data from other sources, including data collected about you from other websites.
On subpages, elements may use cookies such as:
- Links to other websites – Each of these sites has its own cookie policy, and if you use (click) the link, you should review the cookie policy of the site you landed on.
- Google tools – Google Analytics, Google Ads, Google Maps, Google Plus, YouTube videos, and more. For more information on Google cookie policies, visit: http://www.google.com/policies/privacy/.
- Facebook and social networks – Our website may include Facebook tools (fan frames, like buttons, etc.), and tools provided by social networks.
- Embedded buttons and ads – Other embedded buttons, advertisements, and applications that allow users to take actions via social networks and related services.
How to disable cookies?
When browsing this site, you are using a device or browser that allows the storage of cookies. Browsers allow you to change cookie settings, typically found in the “Options,” “Settings,” or “Preferences” menu.
In many cases, cookie storage is enabled by default. Information about cookie settings and similar technologies – blocking, and deleting, can be found in your browser’s help materials or the device you are using or on the site “How Cookies Work” – cookies.edu.pl. Using these solutions may affect your ability to use our website, applications, and related sites and apps. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we cannot ensure smooth website functionality for devices with cookies disabled.
How to change your consent?
If you haven’t changed your browser settings (your browser is set to accept cookies by default), you consent to the use of cookies when accessing our website. If you wish to withdraw your consent at any time, you need to change your browser settings.