“Cookies” are used to facilitate access and delivery of services used by internet users, such as customizing certain settings (language, country, prices displayed in the national currency. “Cookies”, based on the information they gather about users, help site owners to optimize their product so that it is as easily accessed by users, also increase the efficiency of online advertising and last but not least can allow multimedia applications or other types of applications from other sites to be included in a certain site to make navigation more useful.

A cookie (“browser cookie” or “HTTP cookie”) is a small file, consisting of letters and numbers, which is stored on any terminal with internet access (computer, mobile phone, tablet etc.) and is installed by a request issued by a web-server to a browser (ex: Internet Explorer, Chrome). To remember: “Cookies” do not contain software programs, viruses or spyware and cannot access the information on the user's hard drive.

A cookie consists of name and content, its duration being determined, and can be accessed again by the webserver when a user returns to the website associated with that webserver.

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

Session cookies - these are temporarily stored in the browser history that stores them until the user exits that website or closes the browser window.

Persistent cookies - These are stored, depending on the preset duration, on the hard drive of a computer or equipment. Persistent cookies include those placed by a website other than the one the user is visiting at that time - known as “third party cookies” - which can be used anonymously to remember a user's interests, so that the most relevant advertising is delivered to users.

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

There are cookies used exclusively for a single session - these are no longer retained after the user exits the website. Permanent cookies - are retained and reused each time the user returns to that website, but can be deleted at any time by the user.

Parts of content or services can be placed on the accessed website, by third parties through banners, boxes or links - and all these tools can contain cookies. They are called “third party cookies” because they are not placed by the owner of that website, and third-party providers are subject to the laws in force and the privacy policies of the site owner.

A visit to this site can place cookies for:

• Cookie-uri pentru analiza vizitatorilor

• Cookie-uri de înregistrare

• Cookie-uri pentru finalizarea unei donații

Some cookies may come from third parties.

Each time a user visits this site, the analytics software provided by a third party generates a user analysis cookie. This cookie tells us if you have visited this site before. The browser will tell us if you have this cookie, and if not, we will generate one. This allows us to monitor unique users who visit us and how often they do so. This cookie cannot be used to identify individuals, they are used only for statistical purposes.

On some pages, third parties can set their own anonymous cookies, in order to track the success of an application, or to customize an application. Due to the way they are used, this site cannot access these cookies, just as third parties cannot access the cookies held by this site. For example, when you share a page using the social network button on this site, that social network will record your activity.

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 improves the browsing experience on the Internet (ex: an order number for your donation).

Cookies are the central point of the efficient functioning of the Internet, helping to generate a friendly and adapted browsing experience to the preferences and interests of each user. Refusing or disabling cookies can make some sites impossible to use.

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

Cookies are NOT viruses! They use plain text formats. They are not made up of pieces of code so they cannot be executed or self-run. Consequently, they cannot be duplicated or replicated on other networks to run or replicate 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 user preferences and browsing history, both on a particular site and on several other sites, cookies can be used as a form of Spyware. Many anti-spyware products are aware of this and constantly mark cookies to be deleted in anti-virus/anti-spyware deletion/scan procedures.

In general, browsers have integrated privacy settings that provide different levels of cookie acceptance, validity period, and automatic deletion after the user has visited a particular site.

Because identity protection is very valuable and represents the right of every internet user, it is advisable to know what potential problems cookies can create. Because through them, information is constantly transmitted in both directions between the browser and the website, if an attacker or unauthorized person intervenes in the data transmission path, the information contained in the cookie can be intercepted. Although very rare, this can happen if the browser connects to the server using an unencrypted network (ex: 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 use this vulnerability to trick browsers into sending information through unsecured channels. Attackers then use the information to access unauthorized sites. It is very important to be careful in choosing the most appropriate method of protecting personal information.

Due to their flexibility and the fact that most of the most visited sites and the largest use cookies, they are almost inevitable. Disabling cookies will not allow the user to access the most widespread and used sites including Youtube, Gmail, Yahoo and others. Here are some tips that can ensure that you navigate without worries but with the help of cookies:

• Customize your browser settings regarding cookies to reflect a comfortable level for you of cookie usage security. If you don't mind cookies and you are the only person using the computer, you can set long expiration dates for storing browsing history and personal access data. If you share access to the computer, you can consider setting the browser to delete individual browsing data each time you close the browser. This is a way to access sites that place cookies and to delete any visit information when closing the browsing session.

• Install and constantly update antispyware applications.

Many of the spyware detection and prevention applications include site attack detection. Thus, it prevents the browser from accessing websites that could exploit browser vulnerabilities or download dangerous software. Make sure you always have the browser updated. Many of the cookie-based attacks are carried out by exploiting the weaknesses of old browser versions.

Cookies are everywhere and cannot be avoided if you want to enjoy access to the best and largest sites on the Internet - local or international. With a clear understanding of how they operate and the benefits they bring, you can take the necessary security measures so that you can navigate the internet with confidence.

Disabling and refusing to receive cookies can make certain sites impractical 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 the browser so that these cookies are no longer accepted or you can set the browser to accept cookies from a particular site. But, for example, if you do not want to use cookies, you cannot follow the next steps after completing the form registration.

All modern browsers offer the possibility to change cookie settings. These settings are usually found in the “options” or “preferences” menu of your browser.

For third-party cookie settings, and for more information on privacy related to online advertising, refer to the following site: https://www.youronlinechoices.com/