WE USE COOKIES TO IMPROVE YOUR EXPERIENCE.

The information presented below is intended to inform you about the placement, use, and management of cookies used by our website. In this way, your privacy is protected.

If you would like to find out more information and it is not listed below, please contact us at contact@almaia.eu.

Please read the following information carefully.

This website uses its own cookies and third-party cookies to provide visitors with a much better browsing experience and services tailored to each user’s needs and interests.

In what we call “Web 2.0,” cookies play an important role in facilitating access to and delivery of the many services 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 fees are displayed, and saving options for various products (sizes, other details, etc.) in the shopping cart (and remembering these options), thus generating shopping cart flexibility.
  • Cookies provide website owners with valuable feedback on how their sites are used by visitors, so they can make them even more efficient and accessible.
  • Allow multimedia or other types of applications from other websites to be included within a website in order to create a more valuable, useful, and pleasant browsing experience.

WHAT IS A “COOKIE”?

An “Internet Cookie” (also known as a “browser cookie,” “HTTP cookie,” or simply “cookie”) is a small file made up of letters and numbers that is stored on a user’s computer, mobile device, or other equipment used to access the Internet. The cookie is installed by a request issued by 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 on the user’s hard drive).

A cookie consists of two parts: the name and the content or value of the cookie. Moreover, the lifespan of a cookie is determined; technically, only the web server that sent the cookie can access it again when a user returns to the website associated with that web server. Cookies themselves do not require personal information to be used and, in most cases, do not personally identify Internet users.

THERE ARE TWO MAIN CATEGORIES OF COOKIES:

  • Session cookies – stored temporarily in the web browser’s cookie folder until the user exits the website or closes the browser window (e.g., when logging in or out of a webmail account or social networks).
  • Persistent cookies – stored on a computer’s hard drive or device (and generally depend on the preset lifespan of the cookie). Persistent cookies also include those placed by a website other than the one the user is visiting at the time—known as “third-party cookies”—which may be used anonymously to remember a user’s interests so that more relevant advertising can be delivered.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF COOKIES?

A cookie contains information that links a web browser (the user) and a specific web server (the website). If a browser accesses that web server again, it can read the already stored information and respond accordingly. Cookies ensure users a pleasant browsing experience and support the efforts of many websites to offer convenient services, such as online privacy preferences, language options, 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 leaves the website, while others are retained and reused each time the user returns to that website (“persistent cookies”). However, cookies can be deleted by the user at any time through browser settings.

WHAT ARE THIRD-PARTY COOKIES?

Certain sections of content on some websites may be provided through third parties/suppliers (e.g., a news box, a video, or an advertisement). These third parties may also place cookies via the website, which are called “third-party cookies” because they are not placed by the owner of the respective website. Third-party providers must also comply with applicable law and the website owner’s privacy policies.

WHAT TYPES OF INFORMATION ARE STORED AND ACCESSED THROUGH COOKIES?

Cookies store information in small text files that allow 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 Internet browsing experience (e.g., language settings; keeping a user logged into a webmail account; online banking security; keeping products in the shopping cart).

WHY ARE COOKIES IMPORTANT FOR THE INTERNET?

Cookies are central to the efficient functioning of the Internet, helping generate a friendly browsing experience tailored to each user’s preferences and interests. Refusing or disabling cookies may make some websites impossible to use. Refusing or disabling cookies does not mean you will no longer receive online advertising—it only means that advertising will no longer take into account your preferences and interests, as highlighted by your browsing behavior.

WHY DO WE USE COOKIES?

Cookies do not contain information that personally identifies you, but they may be linked to personal information we hold about you. Cookies used on the site include strictly necessary cookies for access and navigation, cookies that track website usage, cookies that remember your choices, and cookies that provide targeted content or advertising.

We use information obtained from cookies for the following purposes:

  • To recognize your computer when you visit our website
  • To track you while you navigate the website and enable the use of e-commerce features
  • To improve your experience on the website
  • To analyze website usage
  • To administer the website
  • To personalize the website according to your interests and needs

SECURITY AND PRIVACY ISSUES

Cookies are NOT viruses. They use plain text formats. They are not made of code pieces, so they cannot be executed or self-run. Consequently, they cannot duplicate or replicate themselves on other networks to run or replicate again. Because they cannot perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses.

Cookies can nevertheless be used for negative purposes. Because they store information about users’ preferences and browsing history—both on a specific site and across multiple sites—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 scans. Generally, browsers have built-in privacy settings that provide different levels of cookie acceptance, validity periods, and automatic deletion after a user visits 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 be aware of potential issues cookies may create. Since information is constantly transmitted in both directions between the browser and the website, if an attacker or unauthorized person intervenes in the data transmission, cookie information may 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 servers. If a website does not require the browser to use only encrypted channels, attackers may exploit this vulnerability to trick browsers into sending information through unsecured channels. Attackers then use this information to gain unauthorized access to certain websites.

It is very important to be careful when choosing the most appropriate method to protect personal information. Tips for safe and responsible browsing based on cookies: due to their flexibility and the fact that most of the most visited and largest websites use cookies, they are almost inevitable. Disabling cookies will prevent users from accessing some of the most widespread and commonly used websites, including YouTube, Gmail, Yahoo, and others.

BLOCKING COOKIES

Soon we will launch a special technical module that will allow you to opt out of cookie tracking with just one click. However, you can also block cookies through your browser settings.

  • Internet Explorer: Tools → Internet Options → Privacy → Block all cookies
  • Firefox: Tools → Options → Privacy → Uncheck “Accept cookies from sites”
  • Google Chrome: Options → Under the Hood → Privacy → Content Settings → Cookies
  • Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Block cookies

Blocking all cookies will nevertheless have a negative impact on the usability of many websites. If you block cookies, you may not be able to use certain website features.

DELETING COOKIES

You can delete cookies already stored on your personal computer.

  • Internet Explorer: cookies must be deleted manually
  • Firefox: you can delete cookies via Clear Private Data by checking Cookies
  • Google Chrome: Options → Under the Hood → Privacy → Content Settings → Cookies
  • Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Remove all website data

Obviously, this will have a negative impact on the usability of many websites.

For any questions or clarifications, please contact us.