Cookie Policy
This Policy refers to cookies and the website operated by the 2Celsius Association.
What are cookies?
A cookie is a small file, consisting of letters and numbers, which will be stored on the computer, mobile terminal, or other equipment of a user accessing the internet. The cookie is installed by the request issued by a web server to a browser (e.g., Internet Explorer, Chrome, Opera, Mozilla) and is completely “passive” (it does not contain software programs, viruses, or spyware and cannot access information on the user’s hard drive).
What are cookies used for?
These files make it possible to recognize the user’s terminal and present content in a relevant manner, tailored to the user’s preferences. Cookies provide users with a pleasant browsing experience and support our efforts to offer comfortable services to users, such as online privacy preferences. They are also used to compile anonymous, aggregated statistics that help us understand how a user benefits from our web pages, allowing us to improve its structure and content, excluding the user’s personal identification.
What types of cookies do we use?
We use two types of cookies: session and fixed. The former are temporary files that remain in the user’s terminal until the session ends or the application (web browser) is closed. Fixed files remain on the user’s terminal for a period defined by the cookie parameters or until manually deleted by the user.
How are cookies used by this site?
A visit to this site may place cookies for the purposes of:
- Site performance cookies;
- Visitor analysis cookies;
- Geotargeting cookies;
- Registration cookies;
- Advertising cookies;
- Advertising provider cookies.
Do cookies contain personal data?
Cookies themselves do not require personal information to be used and, in most cases, do not personally identify internet users. Personal data collected through the use of cookies can only be collected to facilitate certain functionalities for the user. Such data is encrypted in a way that makes it impossible for unauthorized persons to access it.
Deleting cookies
Generally, an application used to access web pages allows saving cookies on the terminal by default. These settings can be changed so that the automatic management of cookies is blocked by the web browser, or the user is informed every time cookies are sent to their terminal. Detailed information about the possibilities and ways of managing cookies can be found in the application settings area (web browser). Limiting the use of cookies may affect certain functionalities of the web page.
Why are cookies important for the Internet?
Cookies are the focal point of the efficient functioning of the Internet, helping to generate a friendly browsing experience tailored to the preferences and interests of each user. Refusing or disabling cookies can make some sites impossible to use. Refusing or disabling cookies does not mean that you will no longer receive online advertising, but it will no longer be tailored to your preferences and interests as indicated by your browsing behavior.
Important uses of cookies (which do not require user authentication through an account):
- Content and services tailored to user preferences – categories of products and services;
- Offers tailored to user interests;
- Retaining child protection filters for Internet content (family mode options, safe search functions);
- Limiting the frequency of ad display – limiting the number of times an ad is shown to a particular user on a site;
- Providing more relevant advertising to the user;
- Measurement, optimization, and analytics features – such as confirming a certain level of traffic on a website, what type of content is viewed, and how a user arrives at a website (e.g., through search engines, directly, from other websites, etc.). Websites perform these analyses to improve their sites for the benefit of users.
Security and privacy issues
Cookies are not viruses! They use plain text formats. They are not made up of pieces of code so they cannot be executed, nor can they auto-run. Consequently, they cannot duplicate or replicate on other networks to run or replicate again. Because they cannot perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses.
Cookies can still be used for negative purposes. Since they store information about users’ preferences and browsing history, cookies can be used as a form of spyware. Many anti-spyware products constantly mark cookies to be deleted during anti-virus/anti-spyware deletion/scan 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 certain site.
Other security issues related to cookies
Since the protection of identity is very valuable and represents the right of every internet user, it is advisable to know what potential problems cookies can create. Because information is constantly transmitted in both directions between the browser and the website, if an attacker or unauthorized person intervenes during 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 servers. If a website does not require 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 gain unauthorized access to certain sites.
Tips for safe and responsible browsing based on cookies
Due to their flexibility and the fact that most of the largest and most visited sites use cookies, they are almost inevitable. Disabling cookies will not allow user access to the most common and widely used sites, including YouTube, Gmail, Yahoo, and others.
A few tips:
- Customize your browser settings regarding cookies to reflect a comfortable level of cookie security use;
- If you do not mind cookies and are the only person using the computer, you can set long expiration terms for storing your browsing history and personal access data;
- If you share access to your computer, you can consider setting your browser to delete individual browsing data every time you close the browser;
- Install and constantly update antispyware applications.
Many spyware detection and prevention applications include site attack detection. Thus, they prevent the browser from accessing websites that might exploit browser vulnerabilities or download dangerous software. Ensure your browser is always up to date.
Many cookie-based attacks are carried out by exploiting browser weaknesses of older versions.
Cookies are everywhere and cannot be avoided if you wish to enjoy access to the best and largest Internet sites. All modern browsers offer the possibility to change cookie settings. These settings are usually found in the “options” or “preferences” menu of your browser.
Useful links
If you want to learn more about cookies and what they are used for, we recommend the following links:
Relevant legislation
The use of cookies and obligations of providers are regulated both in national legislation (Law no. 506/2004 on the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector, with subsequent amendments and completions) and in European legislation (Directive 2002/58/EC on privacy and electronic communications), as amended and supplemented by Directive 2009/136/EC.