1. What is a cookie?
A cookie is defined by the HTTP communication protocol as a piece of information sent by an HTTP server to an HTTP client, which the client returns each time it queries the same HTTP server under certain conditions.
A cookie is the equivalent of a small text file stored on the user’s device.
It is sent as an HTTP header by the web server to the web browser, which returns it unchanged each time it accesses the server.
A cookie can be used for authentication, for a session (state maintenance), and to store specific information about the user, such as website preferences or the contents of an online shopping basket.
Because they are generally stored as simple text files, cookies are not executable. They are neither spyware nor viruses.
Most recent browsers allow users to decide whether to accept or reject cookies. Users can also choose how long cookies are stored. However, rejecting cookies entirely makes some websites unusable.
Examples include online shop baskets or websites that require you to log in to a customer account. Source: www.wikipedia.org.
2. Use of cookies on our website
Each time you visit our website, and subject to your choices, various cookies may be placed on your device, for example to allow us to recognise the web browser you are using.
These cookies are linked to the operation of the website itself.
These cookies allow:
– the generation of usage statistics on the elements of our website (sections, sub-sections, products, services, etc.) in order to continually improve your visit.
– the adaptation of our website’s usability and UX design to your device’s display preferences (language, screen resolution, etc.) while you browse.
– the association of your contact details or personal data with browsing information when you register or access our products and services, in order to send you emails that may interest you.
– the storage by your web browser of information relating to a form you have filled in on our website (registration or access to a customer account, for example) or to our products and services (a service you have subscribed to or booking details, for example).
– access to restricted areas of our website, such as a customer account, using the login details and data you have previously provided to us.
– the implementation of security measures, for example when you are asked to log in again to all or part of the website, or to one of our products and services, after a certain period of time.
Please note that refusing these cookies may affect the quality of your visit and your user experience.
To find out more about cookies and how they work, visit: www.allaboutcookies.org
3. Use of third-party cookies
Images and other objects on a web page may be stored on servers other than the one hosting the page. To display the page, the browser downloads all of these objects. Most websites contain information from several different sources.
For example, if you type www.example.com into your browser, there will often be objects or advertisements on part of the page that come from different sources, that is, from a domain other than www.example.com.
First-party cookies are cookies set by the domain shown in the browser’s address bar. Third-party cookies are set by one of the objects on the page that come from a different domain.
By default, browsers such as Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Opera accept third-party cookies, but users can change the settings in their browser options to block them.
Third-party cookies that enable web features carry no inherent security risk.
These third-party cookies may, for example, allow us to produce statistics (via Google Analytics or Xiti, for example), to offer content targeted to your interests and preferences, or to identify the third-party website that referred you to our website.
These third-party cookies may also identify you and allow you to share all or part of our website’s content on social networks using “share” or “like” features, for example.
To find out more about how various social networks use cookies (non-exhaustive list), visit:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/about/ads
Instagram: https://help.instagram.com/1896641480634370?ref=ig
Twitter: https://support.twitter.com/articles/20170518
Snapchat: https://www.snap.com/en-US/cookie-policy/
Google+: http://www.google.com/policies/technologies/cookies/
Pinterest: https://help.pinterest.com/en/articles/personalization-and-data
4. Configuring cookies in a web browser
To find out more about cookie settings and configuration in your browser, visit the following links:
for Chrome™: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647?hl=en;
for Safari™: http://www.apple.com/privacy/use-of-cookies;
for Microsoft Edge™: https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10-microsoft-edge-and-privacy;
for Firefox™: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/enable-and-disable-cookies-website-preferences;
for Opera™: http://help.opera.com/Windows/10.20/en/cookies.html.
For any other browser, please search using the search engine of your choice, or contact your IT manager or IT service provider.
