Cookies: what they are and how to remove them
Most websites you visit will use cookies to improve your user experience by enabling that website to ‘remember’ you, either for the duration of your visit (using a ‘session cookie’) or for repeat visits (using a ‘persistent cookie’). All very confusing we know. But cookies have been around for years and are part of what makes websites work.
What is in a cookie?
A cookie is a simple text file that is stored on your computer or mobile device by a website’s server and only that server will be able to retrieve or read the contents of that cookie.
What to do if you don’t want cookies to be set
Some people find the idea of a website storing information on their computer or mobile device a bit intrusive, particularly when this information is stored and used by a third party without them knowing. Although this is generally quite harmless you may not, for example, want to see advertising that has been targeted to your interests.
If you prefer, it is possible to block some or all cookies, or even to delete cookies that have already been set; but you need to be aware that you might lose some functions of that website.
If you don’t want to receive cookies, you can modify your browser so that it notifies you when cookies are sent to it or you can refuse cookies altogether. You can also delete cookies that have already been set.
If you wish to restrict or block web browser cookies which are set on your device then you can do this through your browser settings; the Help function within your browser should tell you how.
Alternatively, you may wish to visit www.aboutcookies.org, which contains comprehensive information on how to do this on a wide variety of desktop browsers.
The sort of cookies we use may include:
Session cookies
Without these little cookies most sites won’t work at all. They allow you to add things to a shopping basket, remember where you are on a website and other necessary things. Without them you may find most websites are useless.
Google Analytics
This allows us to keep track of how people use our website. It has no personal information stored and certainly cannot be used to contact you.
Hotjar
This allows us to keep track of how people use our website. It has no personal information stored and certainly cannot be used to contact you.
AddThis
AddThis is a helpful tool which allows you to forward a web page onto your Linkedin account, Blogger or up to 300 other social services.
Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus and others
Occasionally we may give you the ability to post a page to one of the above services. In order to do this a cookie may be set.