About Cookies
WE USE COOKIES TO IMPROVE YOUR EXPERIENCE.
The information below is meant to inform you about the placement, use, and management of cookies used by our website. This way, your privacy will be protected.
If you would like to know more and it is not listed below, please contact us at contact@apstomatologic.ro
Please read the following information carefully.
This website uses both first-party and third-party cookies to provide visitors with a much better browsing experience and services tailored to their needs and interests.
In what we call "web 2.0", cookies play an important role in facilitating access to and delivery of multiple services enjoyed by users on the internet, such as:
- Customizing certain settings like: the language in which a site is viewed, the currency used for prices or fees, saving preferences for various products (sizes, other details etc.) in the shopping cart (and remembering those preferences)—thus generating flexibility in the "shopping cart".
- Cookies provide valuable feedback to website owners on how their sites are used by users, helping to make them more efficient and user-friendly.
- Allow multimedia or other applications from other sites to be included on a specific site to create a more valuable, useful, and pleasant browsing experience.
WHAT IS A "COOKIE"?
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, which will be stored on the user's computer, mobile terminal, or other equipment used to access the Internet. The cookie is installed by a request from a web server to a browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Chrome) and is completely "passive" (it does not contain software, viruses, or spyware and cannot access information from the user's hard drive). A cookie consists of two parts: the name and the content or value of the cookie. Moreover, the cookie's lifespan is determined; technically, only the web server that sent the cookie can access it again when the user returns to the website associated with that server. Cookies themselves do not require personal information to be used and, in most cases, do not personally identify internet users.
THERE ARE TWO MAJOR CATEGORIES OF COOKIES:
- Session Cookies – These are temporarily stored in the browser’s cookie folder so that the browser can remember them until the user leaves the website or closes the browser window (e.g. when logging in/out of a webmail or social media account).
- Persistent Cookies – These are stored on the hard drive of a computer or device (and generally depend on the pre-defined lifespan of the cookie). Persistent cookies also include those placed by a different website than the one the user is visiting—known as "third-party cookies"—which may be used anonymously to remember a user’s interests to deliver more relevant advertising.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF COOKIES?
A cookie contains information that links a browser (user) to a specific web server (website). If the browser accesses that web server again, it can read the stored information and respond accordingly. Cookies ensure a pleasant browsing experience and support many websites’ efforts to offer comfortable services: e.g. online privacy preferences, site language options, shopping carts, or relevant advertising.
WHAT IS THE LIFESPAN OF A COOKIE?
Cookies are managed by web servers. The lifespan of a cookie can vary significantly depending on its purpose. Some cookies are used for a single session (session cookies) and are no longer retained once the user leaves the site, while others are retained and reused every time the user returns (persistent cookies). However, cookies can be deleted by the user at any time via browser settings.
WHAT ARE THIRD-PARTY COOKIES?
Certain content sections on some sites may be provided through third parties/providers (e.g. news box, video, or ad). These third parties may also place cookies via the site, known as "third-party cookies" because they are not placed by the website owner. Third-party providers must also comply with the law and the privacy policies of the site owner.
WHAT INFORMATION IS STORED AND ACCESSED VIA COOKIES?
Cookies store information in a small text file that allows a website to recognize a browser. The web server recognizes the browser until the cookie expires or is deleted. Cookies store important information that improves the Internet browsing experience (e.g. language settings for accessing a site; keeping a user logged in to a webmail account; online banking security; retaining items in a shopping cart).
WHY ARE COOKIES IMPORTANT FOR THE INTERNET?
Cookies are central to the efficient functioning of the Internet, helping to generate a user-friendly and tailored browsing experience based on user preferences and interests. Refusing or disabling cookies may make some websites unusable. Refusing or disabling cookies does not mean you will no longer receive online advertising—it just means it won’t be tailored to your preferences and behavior.
WHY DO WE USE COOKIES?
Cookies do not contain personal data, but they may be linked with information we store about you. The cookies used on this site include strictly necessary cookies for access and navigation, cookies that track site usage, cookies that remember your choices, and cookies that deliver targeted content or advertisements.
We use cookie information for the following purposes:
- To recognize your computer when you visit our website
- To track your navigation on the website and enable the use of e-commerce features
- To improve your website experience
- To analyze website usage
- To manage the website
- To personalize the website based on your interests and needs
SECURITY AND PRIVACY ISSUES
Cookies are NOT viruses! They use plain text formats. They are not made of code, so they cannot be executed or auto-run. Therefore, they cannot duplicate or replicate themselves on other networks to run or replicate again. Since they cannot perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses.
However, cookies can be used for negative purposes. Because they store information about users’ browsing history and preferences, cookies can be used as a form of spyware. Many anti-spyware products are aware of this and regularly flag cookies for deletion during scans. Most browsers include privacy settings that offer different levels of cookie acceptance, validity period, and automatic deletion after the user leaves a particular website.
OTHER COOKIE SECURITY CONCERNS
Since identity protection is a valuable right of every internet user, it is important to be aware of potential problems that cookies may cause. Because information is constantly exchanged between the browser and the website via cookies, an attacker or unauthorized person could potentially intercept the data if transmitted over an unsecured network (e.g. unsecured WiFi). Other cookie-related attacks involve server misconfigurations. If a website does not require browsers to use only encrypted channels, attackers may exploit the vulnerability to trick browsers into sending information over insecure connections.
It is very important to choose the most appropriate method to protect your personal information. Tips for safe and responsible cookie-based browsing: Because of their flexibility and because most of the most visited and largest sites use cookies, they are almost unavoidable. Disabling cookies will prevent access to popular and widely used sites like YouTube, Gmail, Yahoo, etc.
BLOCKING COOKIES
We will soon launch a technical module that allows you to opt out of being tracked by cookies with a single click. However, you can also block cookies through your browser settings.
- Internet Explorer: Tools - Internet Options - Privacy - Block all cookies
- Firefox: Tools - Options - Privacy - Uncheck Accept cookies from sites
- Google Chrome: Options - Under the Hood - Privacy - Content Settings - Cookies
- Safari: Preferences - Privacy - Block cookies
Blocking all cookies will, however, negatively affect the usability of many websites. If you block cookies, you may not be able to use certain website features.
DELETING COOKIES
You can delete cookies already stored on your computer.
- Internet Explorer: Cookies must be deleted manually
- Firefox: You can delete cookies using Clear Private Data, checking Cookies
- Google Chrome: Options - Under the Hood - Privacy - Content Settings - Cookies
- Safari: Preferences - Privacy - Remove all website data
Obviously, this will have a negative impact on the usability of many websites.
For any clarifications, please contact us.