UNDERSTANDING COOKIES AND WHY WE HAVE THEM
Cookies are small data files stored on your internet-enabled device, such as your computer or your phone, and are now standard for most websites. While you are visiting a website, cookies allow the website to store certain types of information about you that the site uses in your browser. When you come back to that same website later, the same information stored by cookies in your browser is sent back to the website. Cookies are widely used in order to make websites work, help websites work more efficiently and provide the website’s owner with information about the site. They do many different jobs, such as letting you navigate between pages, remembering your preferences, and generally improving your user experience.
Cookies may collect Personal Data (which, in some jurisdictions, would include your internet protocol (IP) address).
There are two general categories of cookies based on the relationship between the cookie owner and the website the cookie is on.
- First Party Cookies: Cookies owned by the owner of the website that you are visiting and served by that same website.
- Third Party Cookies: Cookies owned by someone other than the website owner and the other person is serving you the cookie at the request of the website owner
Additionally, there are a variety of types of cookies. Generally, cookies can be grouped into five types for most websites:
- Necessary Cookies: These are essential for the provision of the site and any requested services, and do not perform any additional or secondary function. For these cookies, we do not ask for your consent, but we do inform you about their presence on our Sites. We use certain cookies that are considered “strictly necessary” for the regular operation and security of our Sites, as well as for the provision of the services and products you request.
- Performance Cookies: These provide statistical information and analytics on site usage.
- Functionality Cookies: These allow the provision of enhanced functionality and personalization, such as videos and live chat. They may be set by the website or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, then some or all the enhanced functions may not work properly.
- Advertising/Targeting Cookies: These are used to personalize content to you. They can also be used to create profiles. These are often set by third parties.
- Social Media Cookies: These cookies allow the sharing of content on social media channels, such as Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Finally, the cookie durations or length of time a cookie is enabled on your device is split into two categories:
- Session Cookies: These exist only while your browser is open. These are deleted automatically once you close your browser.
- Permanent Cookies: These survive after your browser is closed. They can be used by the website to recognize your computer when you open your browser and browse the Internet again unless you take steps to delete them.
Web Beacons, also known as tracking pixels, are small transparent images used to help us better understand the effectiveness of our content and advertisement, the interests of our visitors, and to improve the experience on the websites. Web beacons do not place information on your device but may work in conjunction with cookies to monitor activity. You have the option to render some Web Beacons unusable by rejecting their associated cookies. The Web Beacon may still record an anonymous visit from your IP address, but cookie information will not be recorded.