What is a cookie?
Cookies are text files containing small amounts of information which are downloaded to your device when you visit a website. Cookies are then sent back to the originating website on each subsequent visit, or to another website that recognises that cookie. Cookies are useful because they allow a website to recognise a user’s device.
You can find more information about cookies at:
www.allaboutcookies.org
www.youronlinechoices.eu
Cookies do lots of different jobs, like letting you navigate between pages efficiently, remembering your preferences, and generally improve the user experience. They can also help to ensure that adverts you see online are more relevant to you and your interests.
Types of cookies
Cookies can be classified in different categories:
Strictly necessary/Essential cookies:
These are cookies that are required for the operation of our website. These essential cookies are always enabled because our website won’t work properly without them. They include, for example, cookies that enable you to log into secure areas of our website, use a shopping cart or make use of e-billing services. You can switch off these cookies in your browser settings but you may then not be able to access all or parts of our website.
Analytical/Performance cookies:
These allow us to recognise and count the number of visitors and to see how visitors move around our website when they are using it. This helps us to improve the way our website works, for example, by ensuring that users are finding what they are looking for easily.
Functionality cookies:
These are used to recognise you when you return to our website. This enables us to personalise our content for you, greet you by name and remember your preferences (for example, your choice of language or region).
Targeting/Advertising cookies:
These cookies record your visit to our website, the pages you have visited and the links you have followed. We will use this information to make our website and the advertising displayed on it more relevant to your interests. We may also share this information with third parties for this purpose so that they can serve you with relevant advertising on their websites.
Other distinctions
Persistent cookies:
These cookies are stored on your device and not deleted when you leave the website/app. Persistent cookies can retain preferences for a particular website or app, allowing those preferences to be used in future sessions.
Session cookies:
These cookies are stored in your device during your browsing session, and automatically deleted when you leave the website/app. Session cookies usually store a session ID, allowing you to move from pages without the need to log-in.
First party/Third party cookies
These are cookies that are set and controlled by the same operator of a website/app (first party cookies) or by a third party (third party cookies).
Manage your Cookies
By clicking the ‘Cookie Settings' button below, you can choose which cookies to accept or decline. Some cookies are essential cookies and cannot be disabled. These cookies are listed as 'strictly necessary' cookies, and their information is shared in the Cookie List on this page which includes what they are used for and how long they are retained.