What is a cookie?
Cookies, commonly known as "cookies", are small, informative text files sent by a web server and stored on the user's side on a computer, laptop, mobile device or other device while browsing the web. The browser sends the information contained in cookies, e.g. on the hard drive, back to the visited page or to another website that recognizes the cookie file after each subsequent visit to the page.
The parameters of these files allow the information contained in them to be read only by the server that created them. This allows a given website to recognize the user's device and display a website tailored to the preferences. "Cookies" are most often used in the case of pages that require logging in, advertisements and to monitor the activity of visitors, and contain the name of the website domain from which they come, their storage time on the end device and a unique number.
Please note that cookies:
- do not identify users and on their basis no identity is determined
- are not harmful and do not affect the way devices work
- do not change the device configuration or software
- the default parameters of cookies allow the information contained in them to be read only by the server that created them
Types of cookies used on the pages:
Persistent cookies - these files make it easier to use frequently visited websites. "Cookies" remain on the user's device for the period of time specified in these files. They will be activated each time the user visits the website. The files remain on the device for the time specified in the cookie parameters or until they are manually deleted.
Session cookies - these files allow website operators to record user activities during a given browser session. The files are temporary and remain on your device until you log out of the website or turn off your browser.
What do cookies do?
Cookies make websites easier to use, such as allowing you to navigate websites faster, remembering your preferences for certain pages, and generally improving your internet experience. For example, they can remember your previous activities and settings when returning to the page of the same session. Cookies may also be used to remember changes made to text size, fonts and other parts of the web pages, which you can customize to your liking. Cookies are necessary for the proper functioning of the website, they allow you to move around the website and use individual elements. They are most often used for statistical and marketing purposes and to adapt the content of websites to the user's preferences. Cookies also store information about geolocation, the language of the website visitor, and random data about session identifiers. Such data collection helps to understand how the user uses the websites, which in turn allows for the improvement of their content and structure. Information collected by these files remains anonymous.
What are cookies used for?
- maintain the user's session (after logging in), so there is no need for each page to enter a username and password each time
- facilitate the use of the website
- adjust services to user needs
- remember user settings and individual preferences
- are used to keep statistics of viewing individual pages
- contain information about the history of the user's communication with the website
- are used for purposes technical, related to the administration of servers
How to manage cookies?
You can change the settings, delete and disable cookies at any time. It is enough to set the browser so that it does not accept cookies or informs about their transmission. However, it is worth remembering that not accepting "cookies" may cause difficulties in using the website. By default, web browsers allow cookies to be placed by default. Browser settings can also block the automatic handling of "cookies" or inform about their every transfer to the user's device. If you leave "cookies" enabled, be sure to log out when you finish working on your computer. It is also worth remembering that the effect of changing the browser settings, depending on the selected options, may be the inability to use the services or functions available on the website, in particular requiring login.
