Cookies

What Are Cookies?

A cookie is used by a website to send ‘state information’ to a users’ browser and for the browser to return the state information to the website. The state information can be used for authentication, identification of a user session, user preferences, shopping cart contents, or anything else that can be accomplished through storing text data on the user’s computer.

Cookies cannot be programmed, cannot carry viruses, and cannot install malware on the host computer. However, they can be used to track users browsing activities which was a major privacy concern that prompted European and US law makers to take action.

Cookies are used by most websites for a variety of reasons – often very practical reasons to do with the operation of the website. However, they are also used to monitor how people are using the website (which pages are visited and how long is spent on each page). Each “visitor session” is tracked even though no effort is made to try to identify the user in person.

The new legislation now states that you must be able to opt-out from having cookies stored on their computer.

How we use cookies on our website

• We use cookies to make our website easier for you to use
• We use cookies to monitor usage so we can spot trends and make improvements
• We DO NOT use cookies to identify individuals (and never will)
• We DO NOT store personal information in cookies
• Information about what cookies are set

We believe that our use of cookies is necessary for the smooth functioning of the website. We do not believe that they pose any threat to your personal privacy or online security and we recommend that you “allow” cookies. If you “disable” cookies the interactive functions of the website will not operate (data submission via forms, as well as user registration, user login, and many other features of the website can not work fully without using cookies).