1. What are Cookies?
Cookies are small data files that many internet sites automatically download to a user’s computer, phone or tablet’s hard disk. They are primarily used to collect standard internet log information and visitor behaviour information. This can include which pages you have visited, choices you have made from menus, any specific information you have entered into forms and the time and date of your visit. This information is used to improve the functionality of a website and to compile statistical reports on website activity.
2. Types of Cookies
There are two main types of cookies:
- Session cookies: these are temporary cookies that expire at the end of a browser session; that is, when you leave the site. Session cookies allow the website to recognise you as you navigate between pages during a single browser session and allow you to use the website most efficiently. For example, session cookies enable a website to remember that a user has placed items in an online shopping basket.
- Persistent cookies: in contrast to session cookies, persistent cookies are stored on your equipment between browsing sessions until expiry or deletion. They therefore enable the website to “recognise” you on your return, remember your preferences, and tailor services to you.
In addition to session cookies and persistent cookies, there may be other cookies, which are set by the website that you have chosen to visit, such as this website, in order to provide us or third parties with information.
3. Our use of Cookies
We currently use, and may use in the future, the following types of cookies on this website.
We use session cookies to:
- help us maintain security and verify your details whilst you use the website as you navigate from page to page, which enables you to avoid having to re-enter your details each time you enter a new page.
We use persistent cookies to:
- help us recognise you as a unique user when you return to our website so that you do not have to input your details multiple times as you move between our pages or services;
- collect and compile anonymous, aggregated information for statistical and evaluation purposes to help us understand how users use the website and help us improve the structure of our website.
Many cookies are designed to give you optimal usage of the web. For example, we use cookies to enable you to improve your user experience when using our website, e.g. a cookie that recognises if your browser supports specific technology features. This helps, for example, to enable web pages to be loaded more quickly when you request the download of a large file.
In addition to cookies that send information to us (i.e first party cookies), we also use cookies that collect information and send it to third parties (i.e. third party cookies). An example of this is Google Analytics. We use Google Analytics to help collect and compile anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, uptake of new features, where visitors have come to the site from and the pages they visited. We do not send personal identifiable data to Google Analytics. Visit Google’s site for an overview of privacy at Google and information on how to opt out of the Google Analytics cookie. Where this site allows such cookies to be set or you access other websites from this site using the links provided, the operators of these websites will use cookies in accordance with their own cookies policy, which may differ from ours.
Please note that, as with first party cookies, you are able to block third party cookies through your browser settings.
Some of our cookies may collect and store your personal information, such as your name or email address. We are committed to respecting and protecting your privacy and will ensure that all personal information collected by us is kept and treated in accordance with our privacy policy, which is also available on our website.
4. Refusing Cookies on this Site
Most browsers are initially set to accept cookies. However, you have the ability to disable cookies if you wish, generally through changing your internet software browsing settings. It may also be possible to configure your browser settings to enable acceptance of specific cookies or to notify you each time a new cookie is about to be stored on your computer enabling you to decide whether to accept or reject the cookie. To manage your use of cookies there are various resources available to you, for example the “Help” section on your browser may assist you. You can also disable or delete the stored data used by technology similar to cookies, such as Local Shared Objects or Flash cookies, by managing your browser’s “add-on settings” or visiting the website of its manufacturer. If cookies are disabled, it may mean that you experience reduced functionality or will be prevented from using our site altogether.
5. Updates
The policy may be amended from time to time. For your assistance we have provided an entry on the Policy of the latest date that it was revised. We urge you to read this Policy carefully, and to review it periodically for changes.
