A new law on cookies demands that you, as a website user, are able to understand the use of cookies on our websites and consent to cookies being stored on your computer (laptop/mobile/tablet).
A cookie is a small text file of letters and numbers that downloads onto your computer when you access websites. Typically, they contain the following information: a site name and unique user ID, the duration of the cookie’s abilities and effects, and a random number. As a rule, the use of cookies cannot reveal your identity or personally identifying information.
When you visit a website that uses cookies for the first time, a cookie downloads onto your computer. The next time you visit that website, your computer checks to see if it has a cookie that is relevant and sends the information in that cookie back to the website. The website then notes that you have been there before, and in some cases, tailors what pops up on screen to take account of that fact. They might also record how long you spend on each page on a site, what links you click, even your preferences for page layouts and colour schemes.
Generally, the role of cookies is beneficial, making your interaction with frequently-visited sites smoother with no extra effort on your part. Without cookies, online shopping would be much harder and some websites would become less interactive with the cookie option turned off.
These cookies expire when you close your web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Google Chrome). There are various reasons for the use of these cookies, for example, remembering what you have put in your shopping basket as you browse a website. They can also be used for security to access your Internet banking or email.
Persistent cookies remain on your computer once you have closed your web browser, this allows your preferences on websites to be remembered. These cookies are used for a variety of purposes, for example, remembering your preferences on a website (your language choice or your user name on a particular website).
This refers to the website placing the cookie. First party cookies are cookies set by the website you are visiting. Third party cookies are set by another website; the website you are visiting may have advertising on the page and this other website will be able to set a cookie on your computer. On the main web browsers, third party cookies are allowed by default. Changing the settings on your browsers can prevent this.
We use third party and first party cookie reports to improve our services and target our customer needs.
There are some exemptions to the above where it is essential for a website to store information on your computer. For example, to provide a service to you that you have requested.
For further information, please click on the links below: