This website uses cookies to personalize content, provide social media features, and analyze traffic. We also share information about how you use our website with our social media and analytics partners.
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 is stored on a user’s computer, mobile device, or other equipment used to access the Internet.
A cookie is installed at the request sent by a web server to a browser (e.g., Internet Explorer, Chrome) and is entirely “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. In addition, a cookie has a defined lifespan; technically, only the web server that sent the cookie can access it again when a user returns to the website associated with that server. Cookies themselves do not require personal data in order to be used and, in most cases, do not personally identify Internet users.
There are two major categories of cookies:
A cookie contains information that links a specific web browser (the user) to a specific web server (the site). If a browser accesses that web server again, it can read the information already stored and respond accordingly. Cookies ensure users have a pleasant browsing experience and support the efforts of many websites to provide convenient services to users (e.g., preferences regarding online privacy, site language options).
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 not retained after the user leaves the website; others are retained and reused each time the user returns to that website (“persistent cookies”). Nonetheless, cookies can be deleted by a user at any time via the browser settings.
Change cookie settingsCookies 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 can make some websites impossible to use.
Refusing or disabling cookies does not mean you will no longer receive online advertising—it simply means that the advertising can no longer take your preferences and interests, as reflected in your browsing behavior, into account.
Cookies are not viruses! They use plain-text formats. They are not made up of code fragments, so they cannot be executed or self-run. Consequently, they cannot duplicate or replicate themselves on other networks in order to run or replicate again.
However, cookies can be used for negative purposes. Because they store information about users’ preferences and browsing history, cookies can be used as a form of spyware.
In general, browsers include privacy settings that provide different levels of cookie acceptance, validity periods, and automatic deletion after the user has visited a particular site.
Because identity protection is very valuable and a right of every Internet user, it is advisable to understand the potential problems cookies can create. Since information is constantly transmitted both ways between the browser and the website, if an attacker or unauthorized person intercepts the data transmission path, the information contained in the cookie can be captured. Although very rare, this can happen if the browser connects to the server over an unencrypted network (e.g., an unsecured Wi-Fi 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 over unsecure channels. Attackers then use the information to gain unauthorized access to certain sites. It is very important to choose the most appropriate method of protecting personal information.
Disabling and refusing to receive cookies may make certain websites unusable or difficult to visit and use.
You can configure your browser not to accept these cookies, or you can set it to accept cookies from a specific site only. For example, if you do not allow cookies when registering/logging in, you may not be able to leave comments.
All browsers offer the option to change cookie settings (see here for: Internet Explorer; Firefox; Chrome; Safari; Edge; Opera).
If you need more information, you can contact us at: coanachiva@covalact.ro
