What are cookies?
A cookie is a small file which holds a certain amount of data, which our website can send to your browser. It may then be stored on your computer’s hard drive and can be accessed by our web server. This cookie data can then be retrieved and can allow us to customise our web pages and services accordingly. It is important to clarify that cookies do not collect any personal data stored on your hard drive or computer.
Cookies improve functioning of the website, therefore they are commonly used on e.g government websites, information sites, in online shops or public institutions.
What do cookies contain?
Cookies can be used to store information about your preferences. They help to customize the content of the page e.g. surveys, polls, advertisements, photos and texts to your needs.
They typically include web site settings, preferred language, location. They may also contain your personal information but only if it was provided by you. Websites have access only to the information provided by the Internet user. They do not have access to any other files on your computer.
How to control them?
In most browsers, Internet users can control cookies themselves. Within the settings, the user can: agree to use cookies, choose to block or delete cookies, specify file usage on individual sites, or adjust settings for different types of cookies.
How to disable cookies?
Most internet browsers are initially set up to automatically accept cookies. You can change the settings to block cookies or to alert you when cookies are being sent to your device. There are a number of ways to manage cookies. Please refer to your browser instructions or help screen to learn more about how to adjust or modify your browser settings.
What happens if you disable cookies?
If you choose to disable, reject or block cookies, some parts of websites may not function fully, or in some cases, they may not be accessible at all.