Cookies

1. Cookie policy

This policy refers to cookies and the website owned and operated by A&S MARKET LTD, a company registered in the UK.

2. What are cookies?

The cookie is a small file, consisting of letters and numbers, which will be stored on any terminal with Internet access, such as the computer, mobile terminal or other equipment of a user from which the Internet is accessed. The cookie is installed through the request issued by a web server to a browser (eg: Internet Explorer, Chrome).

It is important to note that a cookie is completely "passive" (it does not contain software programs, viruses or spyware and cannot access the information on the user's hard drive). Cookies do not request personal information and do not personally identify internet 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 provide users with a pleasant browsing experience and support the efforts of A&S MARKET LTD to offer comfortable services to users: eg: – online privacy preferences, the shopping cart or relevant advertising.

4. What cookies do we use?

We use two types of cookies: per session and fixed. The first are temporary files that remain in the user's terminal until the end of the session or the closing of the application (web browser). The fixed files remain on the user's terminal for a period in the cookie parameters 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
  • Cookies for advertising
  • Cookies of advertising providers

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. The personal data collected through the use of cookies can only be collected to facilitate certain functionalities for the user. These data are encrypted in a way that makes it impossible for unauthorized persons to access them.

7. Deleting cookies

In general, an application used to access web pages allows cookies to be saved on the terminal by default. These settings can be changed so that the automatic administration of cookies is blocked by the web browser or the user is informed every time cookies are sent to his terminal. Detailed information about the possibilities and ways of managing cookies can be found in the settings area of ​​the application (web browser). Limiting the use of cookies may 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 adapted to the preferences and interests of each user. Refusing or disabling cookies may make some sites unusable. Rejecting or deactivating cookies does not mean that you will no longer receive online advertising - but only that it will no longer be able to take into account your preferences and interests, highlighted by your browsing behavior.

Examples of important uses of cookies (which do not require the authentication of a user through an account):

  • Content and services adapted to user preferences - categories of products and services.
  • Offers adapted to the interests of users - retention of passwords.
  • Retention of child protection filters regarding internet content (family mode options, safe search functions).
  • Limiting the frequency of advertisements - limiting the number of times an advertisement is displayed for a specific user on a site.
  • Providing more relevant advertising for 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 reaches a website (eg: through search engines, directly, from other websites, etc.). The websites carry out these analyzes of their use in order to improve the sites for the benefit of the users.

9. 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 or auto-run. Consequently, they cannot be duplicated or replicated on other networks to run or replicate again. Since they cannot perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses. Cookies can still be used for negative purposes. Because they store information about the preferences and browsing history of users, both on a specific 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 constantly mark cookies to be deleted during anti-virus/anti-spyware deletion/scanning procedures.

In general, browsers have integrated privacy settings that provide different levels of cookie acceptance, validity period and automatic deletion after the user has visited a certain site.

Other security aspects related to cookies:

Since identity protection is very valuable and represents the right of every internet user, it is advisable to know what possible problems cookies can create. Because through them, information is constantly transmitted in both directions between the browser and the website, if an attacker or unauthorized person intervenes during data transmission, 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 (ex: an unsecured WiFi network).

Other cookie-based attacks involve missetting cookies 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 to gain unauthorized access to certain websites. It is very important to be careful in choosing the most suitable method of personal information protection.

Advice 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, they are almost unavoidable. Deactivating cookies will not allow the user access to the most widespread and used sites, including YouTube, Gmail, Yahoo and others.

Here are some tips that can ensure you browse without worries, but with the help of cookies:

  • Particularize your browser settings regarding cookies to reflect a comfortable level of cookie security for you.
  • If you don't mind cookies and you are the only person using the computer, you can set long expiration dates for storing the history of If you share access to the computer, you can consider setting your browser to delete individual browsing data from each when you close the browser. This is an option to access the sites that place cookies and to delete any visit information at the end of the browsing session.
  • Install and constantly update your antispyware applications.

Many of the spyware detection and prevention applications include detection of attacks on websites. Thus, it prevents the browser from accessing websites that could exploit the vulnerabilities of the browser or download dangerous software.

Make sure your browser is always up-to-date.

Many of the attacks based on cookies are carried out by exploiting the weak points of the old versions of the browsers.

Cookies are everywhere and cannot be avoided if you want to enjoy access to the best and biggest sites on the internet - local or international. With a clear understanding of how they operate and the benefits they bring, you can take the necessary security measures so that you can surf the Internet with confidence.

Disabling and refusing to receive cookies can make certain websites 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 the browser so that these cookies are no longer accepted or you can set the browser to accept cookies from a specific site. But, for example, if you are not registered using cookies, you will not be able to leave comments.

All modern browsers offer the possibility to change cookie settings. These settings are usually found in the "options" or "preferences" menu of your browser.

To understand these settings, the following links may be useful, otherwise you can use the "help" option of the browser for more details.

Cookie settings in Internet Explorer

Cookie settings in Firefox

Cookie settings in Chrome

Cookie settings in Safari

For the settings of cookies generated by third parties, you can also consult the website:

http://www.youronlinechoices.com/ro/

10. Useful links

If you want to find out more information about cookies and what they are used for, we recommend the following links:

Microsoft Cookies guide

All About Cookies