What are cookies?
Definitions & Purpose
So what are cookies and what are they used for? A cookie is a small text file stored on your device by the website you are visiting. They track and store information about a user’s interactions and usage of a particular page/site. It helps the website to remember information about your device and how you use their website.
We use the information to make your visit to our website as easy and useful as possible for the user.
We like to think of all the cookies used on our site are fairly innocuous but that is for you to decide, which is why, to comply with legislation, where applicable this website uses a cookie control system allowing the user on their first visit to either ‘allow or disallow’ the use of cookies on their device.
How do I disable Cookies?
You can limit the collection of your information by disabling cookies on your browser. You may also be able to modify your browser settings to require your permission each time a site attempts to set a cookie. Depending on which browser you use will depend on how this is done. However our website, like many others, rely on cookies to enable certain functionality. So, if you choose to disable cookies some of the services available on our website may not function properly. It is all about user experience.
Types of Cookies?
There are Two main types of Cookies:
Session cookies
When you close your browser some cookies are deleted.
Persistent cookies
These cookies are stored on your device until they expire or you choose to delete them.
These cookies are sent back to us each time you visit our site.
What we use cookies for?
We use cookies for session management, user device identification and classification, traffic routing and analytics. Using google analytics enables us to anonymously track your visit to our site. With a view to build a more enhanced experience in the future from this anonymous tracking data.
Is your personal information at risk?
No, we will never save any personal information, including login details or other personal information on your computer. We use the information to make your visit to our website as easy and user friendly as possible. We want our visitors to be able to navigate as simply, smoothly & quickly as possible.
Why Google Analytics tracks users?
Google Analytics is a simple, easy-to-use tool that helps website owners measure how users interact with website content. As a user navigates between web pages it will record information about the page our user has seen, using cookies to monitor this, and where a user has been on a previous page or interactions made within the website.
By obtaining explicit consent from users, any cookies left behind or reading files such as cookies on their devise, our website may track using software to monitor visitors to our site and better understand how users navigate around it. This software, provided by Google Analytics, will save a cookie to your hard drive in order to monitor engagement.
Using google analytics to gather anonymous data relating to how users are navigating the site include providing statistics such as number of visitors, page landings, pages upon exit and number of views per page all helps us understand traffic to our site and enables us to enhance user experience and understand engagement.
Social Media Cookies
Sharing any of our website content with friends through social networks may incur cookies sent from these sites. We do not control these settings and suggest you check with your IT consultant as to more information on how to manage these when sharing to and from social media sites.
Are Cookies harmless?
You can use plug-ins or add-ons that block harmful cookies, together with other free services online that let you detect online trackers. If you do not want to be tracked, you can disable cookies on your browser permanently or set it to delete temporary cookies as you exit.
If at all concerned do seek further advice on Cookies and Cookie usage.
If you would like further clarification or wish to ask a question simply CONTACT US directly.