Cookie Usage Policy

The websites carturesti.ro and blog.carturesti.ro use cookies.

The information provided below aims to inform the user about the placement, use, and management of cookies used by the carturesti.ro website or other sites in the Carturesti network. Additionally, some useful links related to this subject are provided. If you need more information that is not found below, you can contact us at: ecomenzi@carturesti.info.

Please read the following information carefully:

This website uses its own cookies and third-party cookies to provide visitors with a much better browsing experience and services tailored to each individual's needs and interests.

In what is called "Web 2.0," cookies play an important role in facilitating access to and delivery of the multiple services users enjoy on the Internet, such as:

• Personalizing certain settings such as: the language in which a site is viewed, the currency in which certain prices or tariffs are displayed, saving options for various products (sizes, other details, etc.) in the shopping cart (and remembering these options), thus generating the flexibility of the "shopping cart" (accessing old preferences by using the "forward" and "backward" buttons).
• Cookies provide website owners with valuable feedback on how their websites are used by visitors, so they can make them more efficient and accessible.
• Allow multimedia or other applications from other sites to be included within a site to create a more valuable, useful, and pleasant browsing experience.
• Improve the effectiveness of online advertising.

What is a "cookie"?

An "Internet Cookie" (also known as a "browser cookie," "HTTP cookie," or simply "cookie") is a small file, consisting of letters and numbers, that will be stored on a computer, mobile device, or other user equipment from which the internet is accessed.

The cookie is installed through a request made by a web server to a browser (e.g., Internet Explorer, Chrome) and is completely "passive" (it does not contain software programs, viruses, or spyware, and cannot access information on the user's hard drive).

A cookie consists of two parts: the name and the content or value of the cookie. Moreover, the lifespan of a cookie is determined; technically, only the web server that sent the cookie can access it again when a user returns to the website associated with that web server.

Cookies themselves do not require personal information to be used and, in most cases, do not personally identify internet users.

There are two main 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 exits the website or closes the browser window (e.g., when logging in or out of a webmail account or social media).
• Persistent cookies – These are stored on a computer’s hard drive or equipment (and generally depend on the pre-set lifespan for the cookie). Persistent cookies also include those placed by a website other than the one being visited by the user at that moment – known as "third-party cookies" – which can be used anonymously to remember a user's interests so that relevant advertisements are delivered.

What are the advantages of cookies?

A cookie contains information that links a web browser (the user) to a specific web server (the website). If a browser accesses that web server again, it can read the information already stored and respond accordingly. Cookies ensure users have a pleasant browsing experience and support many websites’ efforts to provide users with 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 the purpose for which it is placed. Some cookies are used exclusively for a single session (session cookies) and are not retained once the user leaves the website, while some cookies are retained and reused every time the user returns to the site (persistent cookies). However, cookies can be deleted by the user at any time through the browser settings.

What are third-party cookies?

Certain content sections on some websites may be provided through third parties/providers (e.g., news boxes, videos, or ads). These third parties can also place cookies via the site, and they are called "third-party cookies" because they are not placed by the website's owner. Third-party providers must also comply with applicable laws and the privacy policies of the site owner.

How are cookies used on this site?

A visit to this site may place cookies for the following purposes:

• Session cookies for users – Session cookies that help differentiate between site users.
• Site usage cookies – Cookies that store information such as the "Remember me" checkbox on the login form.
• Social media cookies – Cookies used by social media elements, such as integration with Facebook or Google Maps.
• Statistical cookies – Cookies that help us measure the site's performance, for example, cookies that help measure conversion elements in Google Analytics or Facebook.
• Advertising cookies – Remarketing cookies, such as cookies from Google AdWords. More details: Google Business Privacy & Google Privacy Policy
• Behavioral cookies – Cookies for storing user actions.
• Other third-party cookies

On some pages, third parties may set their own anonymous cookies to track the success of an application or to customize an application. Due to usage patterns, this site cannot access these cookies, nor can third parties access cookies owned by this site.

For example, when you share an article using the social media button on this site, the social network will record your activity.

What type of information is stored and accessed through cookies?

Cookies store information in a small text file that allows a website to recognize a browser. The web server will recognize the browser until the cookie expires or is deleted. The cookie stores important information that enhances the internet browsing experience (e.g., language preferences for accessing a site, keeping a user logged into a webmail account, online banking security, keeping products in the shopping cart).

Why are cookies important for the Internet?

Cookies are at the core of the efficient functioning of the Internet, helping create a user-friendly browsing experience tailored to each user's preferences and interests. Refusing or disabling cookies may make some websites impossible to use.

Refusing or disabling cookies does not mean you will stop receiving online advertising – it simply means that ads will no longer be able to take your browsing behavior into account.

Examples of important uses for cookies (that do not require user authentication through an account):

• Content and services tailored to user preferences – news categories, weather, sports, maps, public and government services, entertainment sites, and travel services.
• Offers tailored to user interests – remembering passwords, language preferences (e.g., displaying search results in Romanian).
• Retaining child protection filters for internet content (family mode options).
• Limiting the frequency of ads – limiting the number of times an ad is shown to a particular user on a site.
• Providing more relevant advertising to users.
• Measuring, optimizing, and analytics features – such as confirming the level of traffic on a website, what type of content is viewed, and how a user arrives at a website (e.g., through search engines, directly, from other websites, etc.).

Security and privacy issues

Cookies are not viruses! They use plain text formats. They are not made up of code fragments, so they cannot be executed or run automatically. Therefore, they cannot replicate or spread to other networks to run or replicate again. Since they cannot perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses.

Cookies can, however, be used for malicious purposes. Because they store information about users' preferences and browsing history, both on a particular site and across multiple sites, cookies can be used as a form of spyware. Many anti-spyware products are aware of this fact and constantly flag cookies for deletion in anti-virus/anti-spyware scan processes.

Browsers generally have integrated privacy settings that provide different levels of cookie acceptance, validity periods, and automatic deletion after a user visits a particular site.

Other security aspects related to cookies

Because identity protection is highly valuable and represents every internet user's right, it is essential to understand the potential issues that cookies may cause. Since they constantly transmit information between the browser and the website, if an attacker or unauthorized person interferes during the data transmission process, the information in the cookie could be intercepted. Although rare, this can happen if the browser connects to a server using an unencrypted network (e.g., unsecured WiFi).

Other cookie-based attacks involve incorrect cookie settings on servers. If a website does not request the browser to use only encrypted channels, attackers can exploit this vulnerability to trick browsers into sending information through unsecured channels. Attackers then use this information to access certain websites without authorization. It is essential to be cautious when selecting the most appropriate method to protect your personal information.

Tips for safe and responsible browsing with cookies

Due to their flexibility and the fact that most visited and major websites use cookies, they are almost unavoidable. Disabling cookies will not allow users to access the most popular and widely-used sites, such as YouTube, Gmail, Yahoo, and others. Here are some tips to ensure safe browsing with cookies:

• Customize your browser settings regarding cookies to reflect a comfortable level of security for you.
• If cookies do not bother you and you are the only one using the computer, you can set long expiration periods for storing browsing history and personal access data.
• If you share access to the computer, you might consider setting your browser to delete individual browsing data every time you close the browser. This is a way to access sites that place cookies and delete any visit information when the browsing session ends.
• Install and constantly update anti-spyware applications. Many anti-spyware detection and prevention applications include website attack detection. They prevent the browser from accessing sites that may exploit browser vulnerabilities

How can I stop cookies?
Disabling and refusing to accept cookies may make certain websites impractical or difficult to visit and use. Additionally, refusing to accept cookies does not mean you will no longer see online advertisements.

It is possible to set your browser to prevent cookies from being accepted, or you can set your browser to accept cookies from a specific website. However, for example, if you are not logged in using cookies, you will not be able to leave comments.

All modern browsers offer the option to change cookie settings. These settings are usually found in the "options" or "preferences" menu of your browser.

To understand these settings, the following links may be helpful, or you can use the "help" option in your browser for more details.

Cookie settings in Internet Explorer
Cookie settings in Firefox
Cookie settings in Chrome
Cookie settings in Safari

For third-party cookie settings, you can also check the website: http://www.youronlinechoices.com/ro/