What is a cookie?
A cookie is a text file which a web server stores in computers and mobile devices; only that server can access and read the cookie’s contents. Cookies make it possible to navigate websites in an efficient way and remember browsing preferences. Cookies speed up and facilitate interaction between users and websites.
How do cookies work?
Cookies can only store texts and they are usually anonymous and coded. Personal information is not stored in cookies and they cannot be connected with identified or identifiable people.
Thanks to data, websites are able to store your information between pages and examine the way in which they interact. Cookies are secure because they can only store information which browsers have provided; in other words, information which users enter in the browser or on websites when so requested. The code cannot be executed and it cannot be used to access your computer. If a website encodes information on cookies, only that website will be able to read the information.
What type of cookies do we read?
The cookies used by this website can be distinguished between using the following criteria:
a) Types of cookies depending on the organizations which manage them:
Depending on the the organizations which handle the computers or domains sending cookies and the data obtained, the following types can be distinguished:
- Own cookies: cookies sent to users’ computer terminals. The editor manages them and they are sent from the computers or domains used to give the service which the users are requesting.
- Third party cookies: these cookies are sent to users’ terminals by a person other than the editor and who manages a computer or domain. That third party is also responsible for managing the data obtained using cookies.
If cookies are installed from a computer or domain which the editor him/herself manages, but the information obtained in this way is managed by a third party, those cookies are not considered to be own cookies.
b) Types of cookies depending on the time they remain active:
Depending on the time they remain active in computer terminals, the following types can be distinguished:
- Session cookies: this type of cookie is designed to receive and store data while users are visiting a particular website. They are usually only used to store information in order to offer users services which they have requested at some time (product shopping lists, for instance).
- Persistent cookies: the information which these cookies receive is stored in the computer terminal and for the period stipulated by the person in charge of the cookies (which can be minutes or years) in order to be able to access and manage them.
c) Types of cookie depending on their purpose:
Depending on the purpose of data obtained using cookies, the following types can be distinguished:
- Technical cookies: these cookies enable users to browse websites, platforms and applications or the options and services available on them: for instance, controlling data traffic and communication; identifying sessions; accessing limited-entry areas; remembering items from particular requests; carrying out a purchase process; signing up for an event or asking to be able to take part; using security items throughout navigation; saving contents for use in videos or sounds; sharing contents using social networks.
- Cookies for personalising: these cookies enable users to browse using various characteristics which are defined in the service in their computer terminal previously or which they have defined themselves. These characteristics include, for instance, language, the type of browser used to access the service and local configuration for accessing the service.
- Analysis cookies: these cookies allow the people in charge of websites to follow and examine how users behave on them. The information which is obtained using this type of cookie is used for measuring activity on websites, applications and platforms, preparing the users of those websites, applications and platforms’ profiles, after examining the use which users make of the services, with the objective of improving those services.
Tools for managing cookies
This website uses Google Analytics.
Google Analytics is a free service in Google for examining websites. This offers website owners the chance to see how users make use of their websites. It also activates cookies in the domains they are on and uses “__utma” and “__utmz” cookies to receive information anonymously and draw up reports about tendencies on websites without identifying users.
How should you manage cookies in your computer? Deactivating and erasing cookies.
All Internet browsers offer the possibility of limited cookies’ activity or deactivating them in their configuration or browsing options. The steps to follow vary from browser to browser and you will be able to find the instructions about it in your browser’s Help menu.
If you do not allow cookies to be used – you can disallow them using your browser’s Personalization or Preferences menu – this website will function correctly without them.
You can permit, block or erase cookies installed in your computer by configuring the browser set up on it:
- If you wish for more information about Internet Explorer browser, click here.
- If you wish for more information about Chrome browser, click here.
- If you wish for more information about Safari browser, click here.
- If you wish for more information about Firefox browser, click here.