What are cookies and what are they for?
Cookies are a set of data that a server deposits in the User’s browser to collect standard Internet log information and visitor behavior information on a website. In other words, they are small text files stored on the computer’s hard drive that serve to identify the User when they reconnect to the website. Their purpose is to record the User’s visit and save certain information. Their use is common and frequent on the web as it allows pages to function more efficiently and achieve greater personalization and analysis of User behavior.
What types of cookies exist?
Cookies can be classified into different categories:
Based on their duration:
- Session cookies: These disappear from the User’s device when they leave the visited website or close their browser. They are normally stored in the device’s cache memory.
- Permanent cookies: These are stored on the User’s hard drive permanently or for an extended period, so that the website that launched them can read them each time the user visits again. The expiration date of these cookies is determined by the website that launches them. Examples: NID, PREF, __utma, __utmc, __utmz, _ga.
Based on their functionality:
- Technical and functional cookies: These are strictly necessary to allow the User to navigate through a website and for the provision of the contracted service, such as those that allow the storage of online order data.
- Personalization cookies: These allow the website’s functions or content to be customized based on data obtained from the browser. For example, presenting the website in the same language as the browser used to visit the site.
- Analytical cookies: These collect information on the use made of the website for statistical purposes only. An example is Google Analytics. Examples: PREF, __utma, __utmc, __utmz, _ga.
- Advertising and behavioral advertising cookies: These aim to improve the effectiveness of advertising spaces by collecting information on the User’s preferences and personal choices. For example, Google Adwords (retargeting). Example: NID.
- Affiliate cookies: These allow tracking of visits from other websites with which the website has an affiliation agreement.
Mainly, two types of cookies are distributed:
- Google Analytics Cookies: These are served by Google as a result of the owner using the “Google Analytics” service. This service collects information on navigation, such as visitor location and visit details (time, pages served, etc.). Users can use the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on to disable this service.
- Technical Cookies: These are used by the page to allow and manage the visit.
Blocking and deleting cookies
Browsers generally offer various configuration options regarding cookies, allowing different privacy levels. For example, you can deny all cookies from a website or delete all stored cookies. To modify these parameters, check your browser’s instructions or help section.
You can find instructions for the most popular desktop and mobile browsers here:
- Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari.
- Blackberry and Windows Phone.
If the user restricts or blocks some or all cookies on this website, some functionalities or services provided on the page may not be available.