Cookie Policy

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 Law No. 506 of November 17, 2004, regarding the processing of personal data and the protection of personal data, visitors to the website are required to consent before transmitting cookies to their computers.

What is a "cookie"?

An "Internet Cookie" is a small file, consisting of letters and numbers, that will be stored on the computer, mobile device, or other equipment of a user accessing the Internet. The cookie is installed through a request issued by a web server to a browser (e.g., Internet Explorer, Chrome) and is entirely "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

A website installs cookie modules only to allow the improvement of the functions offered so that the experience of visiting the site becomes more enjoyable. ELM Romania does not use cookie modules to collect, process, disseminate, or record personal data.

Cookies play a crucial role in facilitating access and delivering various services that users enjoy on the Internet, such as:

Personalizing certain settings, such as:

  • The language in which a site is viewed;
  • The currency in which certain prices or rates are expressed;
  • Accessing old preferences by using the "Back" and "Forward" buttons.

Cookies offer site owners feedback on how their sites are used by users, allowing them to make their sites more efficient and accessible.

What are the advantages of cookies?

A cookie contains information that establishes a connection between a web browser (user) and 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 have a pleasant browsing experience and support the efforts of many websites to provide comfortable services to users, such as online privacy preferences, language preferences, shopping carts, or relevant advertising.

What is the durability (lifetime) of a cookie?

Cookies are managed by web servers, and their lifespan can vary significantly depending on the purpose for which they are placed. Some cookies are used exclusively for a single session and are not retained once the user leaves the website. In contrast, other cookies are retained and reused each time the user returns to that website. However, users can delete cookies at any time through their browser settings.

What are third-party cookies?

Certain content sections on some websites may be provided by third parties/providers. 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 the respective website. Third-party providers must also comply with the applicable law and the privacy policies of the site owner.

These cookies may come from third parties, such as google.com.

How Cookies are Used by the Website:

A visit to the website may place cookies for purposes such as:

  • Enhancing website performance;
  • Analyzing visitor behavior;
  • Geotargeting;
  • User registration.

Other Third-Party Cookies

On some pages, third parties may set their own anonymous cookies to track the success of an application or to customize an application. Due to the usage method, the website cannot access these cookies, just as third parties cannot access the cookies held by that particular 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 where the button is located.

 

Why Cookies Are Important for the Internet?

Cookies are at the core of the efficient functioning of the Internet, aiding in creating a user-friendly browsing experience tailored to the preferences and interests of each user. Refusing or disabling cookies can render some websites impossible to use. Refusing or disabling cookies does not mean that the user will no longer receive online advertising – it simply means that the advertising will no longer be able to take into account the user's preferences and interests, as highlighted by browsing behavior.

Examples of Important Uses of Cookies:

  • Customized Content and Services: Cookies enable the delivery of content and services tailored to the user's preferences, such as news categories, weather forecasts, sports news, maps, public and governmental services, entertaining websites, and tourism services;
  • Offers Tailored to User Interests: Cookies facilitate the retention of passwords and language preferences (e.g., displaying search results in the Romanian language);
  • Child Protection Filters: Cookies assist in retaining child protection filters for online content, including family mode options and safe search functions;
  • Security and Privacy-Related Issues.

Cookies are not Viruses: They are not composed 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. As they cannot fulfill these functions, they cannot be considered viruses.

What kind of information is stored and accessed through cookies?

Cookies store information in a small text file, allowing a website to recognize a browser. The web server will recognize the browser until the cookie expires or is deleted. Cookies store important information that enhances the browsing experience on the Internet, such as:

  • Language settings: for accessing a site in a specific language;
  • Keeping a user logged in: in the webmail account;
  • Online banking security: ensuring the security of online banking;
  • Keeping products in the shopping cart: useful for the online shopping experience.

Other security-related aspects of cookies:

Because identity protection is highly valuable and represents the right of every Internet user, it is essential to be aware of potential issues created by cookies. Since cookies 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 cookies can be intercepted. Although this is very rare, it can happen if the browser connects to the server using an unencrypted network.

It is crucial for users to be attentive in choosing the most suitable method for protecting their 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 may prevent user access to the most widespread and used sites, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Gmail, Yahoo, and others.

Here are some tips to ensure worry-free browsing with the help of cookies:

  • Customize your browser settings regarding cookies to reflect a security level that is comfortable for you;
  • If you don't mind cookies and you are the sole user of the computer, adjust long expiration terms for storing browsing history and personal login data;
  • If you share computer access, consider setting your 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 at the end of the browsing session;
  • Install and regularly update antispyware applications. Many spyware detection and prevention applications include site attack detection, preventing the browser from accessing websites that could exploit browser vulnerabilities or download harmful software;
  • Ensure that your browser is always up to date. Many cookie-based attacks exploit weaknesses in older browser versions;
  • Cookies are everywhere and cannot be avoided if you want to enjoy access to the best and largest sites on the Internet, whether local or international. With a clear understanding of how they operate and the benefits they bring, you can take the necessary security measures to confidently navigate the Internet.

How to proceed if you do not want cookies to be installed on your computer?

Some individuals find the storage of information extracted from their computer or mobile device invasive, particularly when such information is stored and utilized by unknown third parties. If you prefer, you have the option to block all cookies or only specific ones, or even to delete cookies that have been installed on your device. However, be aware that this may result in the loss of certain functionalities. To activate this block, you need to modify the privacy settings of your browser. Disabling or refusing to accept cookies can render certain websites impractical or challenging to visit. Additionally, rejecting cookie acceptance does not mean the user will no longer receive advertisements. You can adjust your browser settings to reject the acceptance of these cookies or to allow cookies only from specific websites. However, for instance, if a user is not registered using cookies, they may be unable to leave comments. All modern browsers provide the option to change cookie settings.