How to Control Cookies
You can manage cookie usage through your browser settings. The help function in your preferred browser should provide you with the correct information. Some browsers provide helpful cookie guides:
Chrome: h5ps://support.google.com/chrome/bin/answer.py? hl=en&answer=95647&p=cpn_cookies
Firefox: h5p://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Cookies
Internet Explorer: h5p://support.microsoV.com/kb/278835
Safari 5 for Mac: h5p://docs.info.apple.com/arcle.html?path=Safari/5.0/en/9277.html
Opera: h5p://help.opera.com/Linux/10.50/en/cookies.html
Alternatively, http://www.allaboutcookies.org provides advice on how to do this, and further information on cookies and how to manage them. In addition, Google Analytics provides its own opt-out options: http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
N.B. In the case of some mobile devices, it may be necessary to consult the device’s instruction manual to manage cookies effectively.
How we use cookies
The Site makes use of cookies and other technologies to assist in recording non-personal statistical information such as how much time is spent reading the content of a certain page, or which banner advertisements receive the most clicks by our users. Such technologies help us improve our Site, our marketing activities and your experience. Most Web browsers are set to accept cookies by default. If you prefer, you can choose to set your browser to remove cookies and to reject cookies. If you choose to remove cookies or reject cookies, this could affect certain features or services of our Site. By using or accessing the Site, you are consenting to the Site’s use of cookies as explained further in this Clause 6.
Cookies are essentially text-only pieces of information that the Site transfers to your hard drive or other website browsing equipment for record-keeping purposes.
While information collected through cookies gives us no personal data (therefore it does not collect matters such as your name and surname) it does allow us to serve adverts and other content, which, based on the information stored by the cookie, may be of interest to you. This can include articles, customized advertisements and targeted services. Cookies therefore are used to improve your online experience, as well as for analytics and for marketing, but specifically we use Cookies on the Site for the purposes highlighted in the table at Clause 6(d) below.
Where we hold personal data about you (such as where it is provided to us during account creation) we may combine information received from cookies to your account profile.
You can disable cookies in your browser at any time, however this will reduce the value you can gain in terms of being useful and interesting content. It will also cancel any browser customizations you may have put in place. Removing cookies may also have the effect of removing your opt-out preferences from certain sites that use cookies to record opt-outs/unsubscribe preferences.
Cookie Classification
| Classification | Description |
|---|---|
| Strictly necessary cookies | These cookies are essential in order to enable you to move around the website and use its features, such as accessing secure areas of the website. Note. Blocking these cookies might prevent registration/authentication to the site and might make some content/functions unavailable. |
| Performance cookies | These cookies collect information about how customers use a website, for instance which pages customers go to most often, and if they get error messages from web pages. These cookies do not collect information that identify a visitor. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. |
| Functionality cookies | These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make such as your username, language or the region you are in and provide enhanced, more personal features. These cookies can also be used to remember changes you have made to text size, fonts and other parts of web pages you can customize. They may also be used to provide services you have asked for such as watching videos or commenting on a blog. The information these cookies collect may be anonymized. |
| Targeting/advertising cookies | These cookies record your visit, the pages you have visited, the games you have played, the financial transactions you have made, and your general behavior on the Site. These cookies are used to deliver adverts more relevant to you and your interests. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement as well as help measure the effectiveness of the advertising campaign. We will use this information to make our Site and the advertising displayed or received by you more relevant to your interests. We may also share this information with third parties for this purpose who assist us in analytics. |
Cookie Classification
Session Cookies
Session cookies are created temporarily when a user visits the Site. Once the user leaves the Site/closes the browser, the session cookie is deleted.
Persistent Cookies
A persistent cookie file remains on the user’s device and is re-activated when the user visits the Site that created that particular cookie. These cookies expire after a certain period (set in the file), or can be removed manually.
Cookies used
| Cookie Name | Expiration Date | Third Party? | Reason for Use | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | 2 years | YES | Used to distinguish users (Google Analytics) | Performance |
| _gat | 1 minute | YES | Used to throttle request rate (Google Analytics) | Performance |
| _gid | 1 day | YES | Used to distinguish users (Google Analytics) | Performance |
| akavpau_ppsd | session based | YES | Used to allow transactions from Paypal on the online shop (if available) | Functionality |
| AKDC | 30 minutes | YES | Used to allow transactions from Paypal on the online shop (if available) | Functionality |
| fr | 1 Minute | YES | Used by Facebook for advertising purposes | Tracking |
| has_js | session_based | NO | Used to save if JavaScript is enabled in the browser | Functionality |
| NID | 6 months | YES | Used by Google Tag Manager to run scripts | Functionality |
| optimizelyBuckets | 10 years | YES | Used for A/B testing and optimization of marketing campaigns | Performance |
| optimizelyEndUserId | 10 years | YES | Used for A/B testing and optimization of marketing campaigns | Performance |
| optimizelyPendingLogEvents | 1 day | YES | Used for A/B testing and optimization of marketing campaigns | Performance |
| optimizelySegments | 10 years | NO | Used to track user session internally | Session |
| pll_language | 1 day | NO | Used to track user language | Functionality |
| sc.ASP.NET_SESSIONID | session based | YES | Used for checking and optimizing user interaction with the page | Performance |
| session | 1 day | NO | Used to track user session internally | Session |