This website uses its own cookies to provide visitors with a much better browsing experience and services tailored to each individual’s needs and interests.
In accordance with the EU “e-Privacy” Directive, in force since May 26, 2012, and the provisions of Regulation 679/2016 regarding the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy, all visitors to the website are required to consent before cookies are transmitted to their computers.
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 user’s computer, mobile device, or other equipment from which the Internet is accessed. The cookie is installed at the request of 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 from the user’s hard drive).
Purpose and use of cookies The university website only installs cookies to allow the improvement of the functions offered, so that the experience of visiting the site becomes more pleasant. The university does not use cookies to collect, process, disseminate, or record personal data. Cookies play an important role in facilitating access and delivering multiple services that users enjoy on the Internet, such as:
- Customizing certain settings such as:
- the language in which a site is viewed;
- the currency in which certain prices or rates are expressed;
- retaining 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 accessing the “Back” and “Forward” buttons.
- Cookies provide website owners with feedback on how their sites are used by users, so they can make them even more efficient and accessible to users;
- They allow multimedia or other types of applications from other sites to be included on a particular site to create a more valuable, useful, and enjoyable browsing experience;
- They improve the efficiency of online advertising.
What are the advantages of cookies? A cookie contains information that connects a web browser (user) to a specific web server (website). If a browser accesses that web server again, it can read the information already stored and react accordingly. Cookies ensure users a pleasant browsing experience and support the efforts of many websites to provide comfortable services to users: e.g. online privacy preferences, language options for the site, 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 has left the website, while other cookies are retained and reused every time the user returns to that website (‘persistent cookies’). However, cookies can be deleted by a user at any time through browser settings.
What are third-party cookies? Certain sections of content on some sites may be provided through third parties/providers (e.g., news box, video, or advertisement). These third parties may place cookies through another website, and they are called “third-party cookies” because they are not placed by the owner of that website. Third-party providers must also comply with the law in force and the privacy policies of the website owner. These cookies may come from the following third parties: facebook.com, twitter.com, etc.
How are cookies used by the website? A visit to the website may place cookies for purposes of:
- improving website performance;
- visitor analysis;
- geotargeting;
- user registration.
Other third-party cookies On some pages, third parties may set their own anonymous cookies in order to track the success of an application or to customize an application. Due to the way they are used, the website cannot access these cookies, just as third parties cannot access the cookies held by that website. For example, when a user shares an article using the social media button on a website, that social network will record the user’s activity, not the website on which the button is located.
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 improves the browsing experience on the Internet, such as:
- language settings in which a site is accessed;
- keeping a user logged into their webmail account;
- online banking security;
- keeping products in the shopping cart.
Why are cookies important for the Internet? Cookies are the central point of the efficient operation of the Internet, helping to generate a friendly browsing experience tailored to each user’s preferences and interests.
Security and privacy issues related to cookies Cookies are NOT viruses! They use plain text formats. They are not made up of pieces of code, so they cannot be executed or run automatically. Consequently, they cannot duplicate or replicate on other networks to run or replicate again. Because they store information about users’ preferences and browsing history, both on a particular website and on other websites, cookies can be used as a form of Spyware. Many anti-spyware products are aware of this and consistently mark cookies for deletion during anti-virus/anti-spyware deletion/scanning procedures. In general, browsers have integrated privacy settings that provide different levels of cookie acceptance, validity periods, and automatic deletion after the user has visited a particular site.
Other security aspects related to cookies Because identity protection is very valuable and represents the right of every Internet user, it is advisable to know what potential problems cookies can cause. Because they constantly transmit information in both directions, between the browser and the website, if an attacker or unauthorized person intervenes in the data transmission process, the information contained in the cookie can be intercepted. Although very rare, this can happen if the browser connects to the server using an unencrypted network (e.g., an unsecured WiFi network). Other cookie-based attacks involve incorrect cookie settings on web servers. If a website does not request the browser to use only encrypted channels, attackers can use this vulnerability to trick browsers into sending information through unsecured channels. Attackers then use the information to unauthorizedly access certain sites. It is very important for users to be careful in choosing the most appropriate method of protecting personal information.
Tips for safe and responsible browsing based on cookies Due to their flexibility and the fact that most of the most visited websites, including the largest ones, use cookies, they are almost inevitable. Disabling cookies will not allow user access to the most widespread and used websites, including: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Gmail, Yahoo, and others. Here are some tips to ensure you browse without worry, but with the help of cookies:
- Customize your browser settings regarding cookies to reflect a comfortable level of security for you to use cookies;
- If you don’t mind cookies and you are the only person using the computer, you can set long expiration terms for storing browsing history and personal access data;
- If you share access to the computer, you may consider setting the browser to delete individual browsing data each time you close the browser. This is an option to access websites that place cookies and delete any visiting information when closing the browsing session;
Install and constantly update antispyware applications. Many spy
- ware detection and prevention applications include site attack detection. Thus, they prevent the browser from accessing websites that could exploit browser vulnerabilities or download dangerous software;
- Make sure you always have the browser updated. Many cookie-based attacks exploit vulnerabilities in older browser versions.
Cookies are everywhere and cannot be avoided if you want to enjoy access to the best and largest websites on the Internet – local or international. With a clear understanding of how they work and the benefits they bring, you can take the necessary security measures so that you can confidently browse the Internet.
How do you proceed if you do not want cookies installed on your computer? There are people for whom storing information extracted from their computer or mobile device is relatively invasive, especially when the information in question is stored and used by third parties who are unknown to them. If you prefer, you can block all cookies or only some of them, or even delete cookies that have been installed on your terminal. However, be aware that you risk not being able to use certain functions. To activate this block, you need to change your browser’s privacy settings. Some third-party operators have developed tools whose modules allow the collection and use of data to be disabled. Disabling and refusing to receive cookies can make certain sites impractical or difficult to visit and use. Also, refusing to accept cookies does not mean that the user will no longer receive/see online advertising. It is possible to set the browser so that these cookies are no longer accepted, or the browser can be set to accept cookies from a specific website. But, for example, if a user is not registered using cookies, they will not be able to leave comments. All modern browsers offer the possibility to change cookie settings. These settings are usually found in the “Options”, “Settings”, or “Preferences” menus (buttons) of the browser.
