Find out Cookies policy of the blog My virtual friend adapted to the latest legislative changes in European Union and Romania.
1. The policy of use of cookies
This policy refers to cookies and web pages operated by My virtual friend. If you need more information, and they are not found below, you can contact on Contact page.
2. 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 a request issued by a web-server to a browser (eg Internet Explorer, Chrome) and is completely “passive” (it does not contain software, viruses or spyware and cannot access the information on the user’s hard driver)..
There are 2 major categories of cookies:
• Session cookies – these are temporarily stored in the cookie file of the web browser so that it can store them until the user exit the respective website or closes the browser window (eg when logging in / logging out on a webmail or social media account).
• Persistent cookies – These are stored on the hard drive of a computer or equipment (and generally depends on the default cookie lifetime). Persistent cookies include those placed by a website other than the one the user visits at that time – known as “third party cookies” (cookies placed by third parties) – which can be used anonymously to memorize the interests of a user, so that advertising is delivered as relevant to users.
3. What are cookies used for?
These files make it possible to recognize the user’s terminal and present the content in a relevant way, adapted to the user’s preferences. Cookies are used in the preparation of aggregated anonymous statistics that help My virtual friend understand how a user benefits from the web pages, allowing me to improve their structure and content, excluding the personal identification of the user.
4. What cookies do I use?
I use two types of cookies: per session and fixed. The latter are temporary files that remain in the user’s terminal until the end of the session or the closure of the application (web browser). The fixed files remain on the user’s terminal for a period of time in the parameters of the cookie or until they are manually deleted by the user.
5. 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
- Cookies for geotargetting
- Registration cookies
6. 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.
7. Deleting Cookies
In general, an application used to access web pages allows the cookies to be saved on the terminal by default. These settings can be changed in such a way that the automatic administration of the cookies is blocked by the web browser or the user is informed whenever the cookies are sent to his 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 can affect certain functionalities of the web page.
8. Why are cookies important for the Internet?
Cookies are the central point of the efficient functioning of the Internet, helping to generate a friendly browsing experience and adapted to the preferences and interests of each user. Refusing or disabling cookies can make some sites impossible to use because the text and images are no longer visible according to the basic design of the page.
Refusing or deactivating cookies does not mean that you will no longer receive online advertising – only that it will no longer be able to take into account your preferences and interests, evidenced by your browsing behavior.
Examples of important uses of cookies (which do not require user authentication through an account):
Content and services adapted to the user’s preferences – product and service categories.
Offers tailored to the interests of users – password retention.
Retaining child protection filters on Internet content (family mode options, safe search functions).
Limiting the frequency of ad serving – limiting the number of times an ad is displayed for 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 kind of content is viewed and how a user reaches a website (eg through direct search engines, from other websites etc.). The websites carry out these analyzes of their use to improve the websites for the benefit of the users.
9. Security and confidentiality 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 self-run. Consequently, you cannot duplicate or replicate on other networks to run or replicate again. Because they cannot perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses.
However, cookies can be used for negative purposes. Because it stores information about users’ browsing preferences and browsing history, both on a particular site and on several other sites, cookies can be used as a form of Spyware. Many anti-spyware products are aware of this fact and are constantly flagging cookies for deletion in anti-virus / anti-spyware removal / scanning procedures.
Generally browsers have integrated privacy settings that provide different levels of cookie acceptance, validity period 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 possible problems cookies may create. Because through them the information between the browser and the website is constantly transmitted in both directions, if an attacker or unauthorized person intervenes during the data transmission, the information contained in the cookie can be intercepted.
Although very rarely, this can happen if the browser connects to the server using an unencrypted network (eg 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. The attackers then use the information for purposes of unauthorized access to certain sites. It is very important to be careful when choosing the most appropriate method of protecting personal information.
10. Tips for safe and responsible browsing, based on cookies.
Due to their flexibility and the fact that most of the most visited and largest sites use cookies, these are almost inevitable. Disabling cookies will not allow user access to the most popular and used sites including Youtube, Gmail, Yahoo and others.
Here are some tips that can ensure you navigate without worry but with the help of cookies:
Customize your browser settings for cookies to reflect a comfortable level of cookie security for you.
If you do not mind cookies and you are the only person using the computer, you can set long deadlines for storing your browsing history and personal access data.
If you share computer access, you can consider setting the browser to clear individual browsing data each time you close the browser. This is an option to access the websites that place cookies and to delete any visiting information at the end of the browsing session.
Install and update your antispyware applications constantly.
Many spyware detection and prevention applications include detecting site attacks. Thus, it prevents the browser from accessing websites that could exploit browser vulnerabilities or download dangerous software.
Make sure your browser is always up to date.
Many of the cookie-based attacks are performed by exploiting the weaknesses of older versions of browsers.
Cookies are everywhere and can not be avoided if you want to enjoy access to the best and largest sites on the Internet – local or international. With a clear understanding of their mode of operation and the benefits they bring, you can take the necessary security measures so that you can safely browse the Internet.
Disabling and refusing to receive cookies may make certain sites impractical or difficult to visit and use. Also, refusing to accept cookies does not mean that you will no longer receive / see online advertising.
It is possible to set in the browser so that these cookies are no longer accepted or you can set the browser to accept cookies from a particular site. But for example, if you are not registered using cookies, you will not be able to leave comments.
11. Useful links
If you want to find out more about cookies and what they are used for, we recommend the following links:
Microsoft Cookies Guide
All About Cookies
Recent Comments