Introduction
The website https://www.dima-legal.ro (the “Website”) uses cookies.
“Cookies” are small size files, made of letters and numbers, which use plain text formats. They are not made up of pieces of code so they may not be executed or auto-run. Consequently, they may not duplicate or replicate on other networks to run or replicate again. Cookies may still be used for negative purposes. Because they store information about user preferences and browsing history, both on a particular website and on several other websites, cookies may be used as a form of Spyware. Many anti-spyware products are aware of this and consistently mark cookies to be deleted in anti-virus/ anti-spyware removal/ scanning procedures.
In general, browsers have built-in privacy settings which provide different levels of cookie acceptance, shelf life, and automatic deletion after the user has viewed a particular website. Other security issues related to cookies.
Cookies play an important role in facilitating the access and delivery of multiple services of which the user enjoys on the Internet, such as:
- Customize certain settings such as: the language in which a website is viewed, keeping contact details for various requests, keeping options for various services, saving certain preferences for future reuse.
- Cookies provide website owners valuable feedback on how their websites are used by users so they can make them more effective and easier to access.
- Allow multimedia or other applications from other websites to be included in a particular website to create a more valuable, useful, and enjoyable navigation experience.
- Improve the efficiency of online advertising.
What is a Cookie?
A cookie is a small file of letters and numbers that shall be stored on the computer, mobile terminal, or other equipment of a user who is accessing the Internet.
The cookie is installed through the request issued by a web server to a browser (eg Chrome, Firefox) and is completely “passive” (it does not contain software programs, viruses or spyware and may not access the information on the user’s hard disk).
A cookie consists of two parts: the cookie`s name, content or value. Furthermore, the duration of a cookie is determined; technically, only the webserver which sent the cookie may access it again when a user returns to the website associated with that webserver.
Cookies themselves do not require personal information so as to be used and, in most cases, they do not personally identify Internet users.
There are 2 large categories of cookies:
- Session cookies – they are temporarily stored in the web browser’s cookie folder so that the browser saves them until the user closes the browser window or deactivates it from the website.
- Persistent cookies – They are stored on the hard drive of a computer or device (and generally depends on the default cookie lifetime). Persistent cookies include those placed on a website other than the one the user visits at that moment – known as ‘third party cookies’ (cookies placed by third parties) – which may be used anonymously to memorize user’s preferences.
What are the benefits of cookies?
A cookie contains information which links a web browser (user) and a specific web-server (website). If a browser accesses that web-server again, it may read the already stored information and react accordingly. Cookies provide users a pleasant browsing experience and support the efforts of many websites to provide users comfortable services: e.g. – online privacy preferences, website language options, shopping carts, or relevant advertising.
What is the lifetime of a cookie?
Cookies are managed by web servers. The life of a cookie may vary significantly, depending on the purpose for which it is placed. Some cookies are used exclusively for one session (session cookies) and they are no longer retained once the user has left the website and some cookies are retained and reused whenever the user returns to that website ( permanent cookies). However, cookies may be deleted by a user at any time through browser settings.
What are cookies placed by third parties?
Certain sections of content on some websites may be provided through third parties/suppliers (eg: a video, an advertisement, a chat application, etc.). These third parties may also place cookies through the website and they are called “third party cookies” because they are not placed by the owner of that website. Third-party vendors must also comply with the applicable law and the website’s privacy policies.
How cookies are used by this website
Cookies provide users a pleasant browsing experience and support our efforts to provide users comfortable services through features such as online privacy, shopping cart or relevant advertising preferences. They are also used to prepare aggregated anonymous statistics which help us understand how a user benefits from our web pages, allowing us to improve their structure and content, excluding the user’s personal identification.
A visit on this website may place the following types of cookies:
- Essential cookies
- Performance cookies
- Social media and advertising cookies
What type of information is stored and accessed through cookies?
Cookies keep information in a small text file which 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 which enhances Internet browsing experience (eg: keeping a user logged into his or her account, keeping products in the shopping cart, keeping products in the Favorites list).
Security and privacy issues
Cookies use plain text formats. They are not made up of pieces of code so they may not be executed or auto-run. Consequently, they may not duplicate or replicate on other networks to run or replicate again. Cookies may still be used for negative purposes. Because they store information about user preferences and browsing history, both on a particular website and on several other websites, cookies may be used as a form of Spyware. Many anti-spyware products are aware of this and consistently mark cookies to be deleted in anti-virus/ anti-spyware removal/ scanning procedures.
In general, browsers have built-in privacy settings which provide different levels of cookie acceptance, shelf life, and automatic deletion after the user has viewed a particular website. Other security issues related to cookies.
Since identity protection is very valuable and represents the right of every internet user, it is advisable to know what problems may create cookies. Because they transmit constant information in both ways between the browser and the website, if an attacker or unauthorized person intervenes during the data transmission, the information contained in the cookie may be intercepted. Although very rarely, this may happen if the browser connects to the server using an unencrypted network (e.g.: an unsecured WiFi network).
Other cookie-based attacks involve bad cookie settings on servers. If a website does not require the browser to use only encrypted channels, attackers may use this vulnerability to prevent browsers from sending information through insecure channels. Attackers then use the information for the purpose of unauthorized access to certain websites. It is very important to be careful in choosing the most appropriate method of protecting personal information.
Advices for safe and responsible cookie-based navigation
Due to their flexibility and the fact that most of the most viewed websites and the biggest ones use cookies, they are almost inevitable. Disabling cookies shall not allow the user access to the most popular and used websites including Youtube, Gmail, Facebook, Yahoo and others. Here are some advices to make sure you do not worry about cookies:
- Customize your browser settings for cookies to reflect a comfortable level for your cookie security.
- If you do not mind of cookies and you are the only person using your computer, you may set long expiration terms to store your browsing history and personal access data.
- If you share access to your computer, you may take into consideration the browser setting to delete individual browsing data each time you close your browser. This is a way to access websites which place cookies and delete any business information when you close the browsing session.
- Install antispyware applications and update them constantly.
Many of the applications for detection and prevention of spyware include the detection of attacks on websites. This prevents the browser from accessing websites that might exploit browser vulnerabilities or download dangerous software. Make sure your browser is always up-to-date. Many of the cookies attacks are made by exploiting the weaknesses of the old versions of browsers.
Cookies are everywhere and may not be avoided if you want to enjoy access to the most popular websites on the Internet. With a clear understanding of how they work and the benefits they bring, you may take the necessary security measures so you may browse with confidence on the internet.
How do I stop cookies?
It is possible to set up the browser so that these cookies are no longer supported or you may set up your browser to accept cookies only from a specific website.
All modern browsers offer the ability to set up cookie preferences. These settings are usually found in your browser’s “options” or “preferences” menu. To understand these settings, you may use the browser’s “help” option for more details.
How long we store data obtained by cookie modules
The data collected through cookie modules are stored for different durations, depending on the characteristic of each cookie. We limit the processing of your personal data to an extent, scope and frequency that are necessary for the purposes of processing.
Why we need your data and what we collect?
In view of ensuring the functionality of our website, we collect and use a series of data by means of cookies, as such are defined herein. By cookie modules no personal data is collected. However, by the interaction of users with the Website, we can collect and process a series of personal data (obtained other than through cookies). For the rights and obligations subsequent thereto we ask you to consult the document entitles “Confidentiality and Personal Data Processing Policy” as the latter is available following the link in the Website’s “Home” page.
What are your rights regarding collected data?
All your legal rights regarding personal data processing are presented in the Confidentiality and Personal Data Processing Policy” applicable to the https://www.dima-legal.ro website are available by following the link in the Website’s “Home” page.