User Information Document Regarding the Presence of Cookies on a Website
The website www.gpg.ro uses cookies.
The information presented below is intended to inform users about the placement, use, and management of the cookies used by www.gpg.ro. You will also find several useful links related to this topic. If you require further information that is not provided below, you may contact us at +40755377497 or via email at contact@gpg.ro.
This website uses both its own cookies and third-party cookies to provide visitors with a better browsing experience and services tailored to each individual’s needs and interests.
The cookies used on this website provide valuable feedback and help us improve the online experience. The website uses cookies such as tokens that remain active until the browser window is closed, in order to enhance the browsing experience. Information obtained through these cookies is not stored in the database, and once the browser is closed, the cookies are deleted from your computer.
What Is a “Cookie”?
An “Internet Cookie” (also known as a “browser cookie,” “HTTP cookie,” or simply “cookie”) is a small file made up of letters and numbers that is stored on a user’s computer, mobile device, or other equipment from which the Internet is accessed.
A cookie is installed through a request issued by a web server to a browser (e.g., Internet Explorer, Chrome) and is completely passive (it does not contain software programs, viruses, or spyware and cannot access information on the user’s hard drive).
A cookie consists of two parts: its name and its content or value. Furthermore, a cookie’s lifespan is determined; technically, only the web server that sent the cookie can access it again when a user returns to the website associated with that web server. Cookies themselves do not require personal information to be used and, in most cases, do not personally identify internet users.
There are two main categories of cookies:
Session cookies – These are temporarily stored in the web browser’s cookie folder so that the browser remembers them until the user leaves the website or closes the browser window (e.g., when logging in/out of a webmail account or social networks).
Persistent cookies – These are stored on the hard drive of a computer or device (and generally depend on the predefined lifespan set for the cookie). Persistent cookies also include those placed by a website other than the one the user is currently visiting—known as “third-party cookies”—which may be used anonymously to remember a user’s interests in order to deliver more relevant advertising.
What Are the Advantages of Cookies?
A cookie contains information that links a web browser (the user) and a specific web server (the website). If a browser accesses that web server again, it can read the previously stored information and respond accordingly. Cookies provide users with a pleasant browsing experience and support the efforts of many websites to offer convenient services to users, such as online privacy preferences, site language options, shopping carts, or relevant advertising.
What Is the Lifespan of a Cookie?
Cookies are managed by web servers. The lifespan of a cookie can vary significantly depending on the purpose for which it is placed. Some cookies are used exclusively for a single session (session cookies) and are no longer retained once the user leaves the website, while some cookies are retained and reused each time the user returns to that website (persistent cookies). However, cookies can be deleted by a user at any time through the browser settings.
What Are Third-Party Cookies?
Certain sections of content on some websites may be provided through third parties/providers (e.g., a news box, a video, or an advertisement). These third parties may also place cookies through the 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 applicable laws and the privacy policies of the website owner. These include Google Analytics and Right Now.
How Are Cookies Used by This Website?
A visit to this website may place cookies for the following purposes:
Website performance cookies
Analytics cookies
Visitor Analytics Cookies
Each time a user visits this website, analytics software provided by a third party generates a user analytics cookie. This cookie tells us whether you have visited this site before. The browser will inform us if you have this cookie, and if not, we will generate one. It allows monitoring of unique users who visit us and how often they do so.
Other Third-Party Cookies
On some pages, third parties may set their own anonymous cookies in order to track the success of an application or to customize an application. Due to the way they are used, this website cannot access these cookies, just as third parties cannot access cookies owned by this website.
Cookies Used by This Website May Come From the Following Third Parties:
Google Analytics
The website uses Google Analytics cookies to collect information about how visitors use this website and to detect potential navigation issues. Google Analytics stores information about the pages visited, the duration of time spent on the site, how the site was accessed, and which sections were accessed. No personal information is stored; therefore, this information cannot be used to identify users.
The website uses Google Analytics to determine whether the site meets user requirements and to prioritize process improvements. Google provides more information about cookies on its privacy policy and cookie policy pages. Google also offers an add-on that allows users to opt out of Google Analytics regardless of the pages accessed.
If you would like to learn more about how Google uses and collects this data, please access the privacy policy link.
Oracle
The website uses Oracle cookies to personalize and maintain the user’s chat session. This type of cookie retains user preferences on this website so that they do not need to be set again each time the site is visited.
What Type of Information Is Stored and Accessed Through Cookies?
Cookies store information in a small text file that allows 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 improves the Internet browsing experience (e.g., language settings for accessing a site; keeping a user logged into a webmail account; online banking security; keeping products in a shopping cart).
Why Are Cookies Important for the Internet?
Cookies are central to the efficient functioning of the Internet, helping generate a user-friendly browsing experience tailored to each user’s preferences and interests. Refusing or disabling cookies may make some websites impossible to use.
Refusing or disabling cookies does not mean that you will no longer receive online advertising, but rather that it will no longer take your preferences and interests into account as indicated by your browsing behavior.
Examples of important uses of cookies (which do not require user authentication through an account):
Content and services tailored to user preferences – news categories, weather, sports, maps, public and governmental services, entertainment sites, and travel services.
Offers tailored to user interests – password retention, language preferences (e.g., displaying search results in Romanian).
Retention of child protection filters regarding internet content (family mode options, safe search functions).
Limiting ad frequency – limiting the number of times an ad is displayed to a particular user on a site.
Providing more relevant advertising to users.
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 (e.g., through search engines, directly, from other websites, etc.). Websites carry out these analyses to improve their services for users.
Security and Privacy Issues
Cookies are NOT viruses. They use plain text formats. They are not made up of code, so they cannot be executed or self-run. Consequently, they cannot duplicate or replicate themselves on other networks to run again. Since they cannot perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses.
However, cookies can be used for negative purposes. Because they store information about user preferences and browsing history—both on a particular site and across multiple sites—cookies can be used as a form of spyware. Many anti-spyware products recognize this and routinely flag cookies for deletion during anti-virus/anti-spyware scans.
Browsers generally include built-in privacy settings that provide different levels of cookie acceptance, validity periods, and automatic deletion after a user visits a particular site.
Other Security Aspects Related to Cookies
Since identity protection is highly valuable and represents the right of every internet user, it is advisable to understand potential issues that cookies may create. Because information is constantly transmitted both ways between the browser and the website, if an attacker or unauthorized person intervenes during data transmission, cookie information may be intercepted. Although very rare, this can occur 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 may exploit this vulnerability to trick browsers into sending information through unsecured channels. Attackers then use this information to gain unauthorized access to certain sites. It is very important to carefully choose the most appropriate method of protecting personal information.
Tips for Safe and Responsible Browsing Based on Cookies
Due to their flexibility and the fact that most of the most visited and largest websites use cookies, they are almost unavoidable. Disabling cookies will not allow users to access widely used sites such as YouTube, Gmail, Yahoo, and others.
Here are some tips to help you browse safely using cookies:
Customize your browser settings regarding cookies to reflect a comfortable level of security for you.
If cookies do not bother you and you are the only person using the computer, you can set long expiration periods for storing browsing history and personal access data.
If you share access to the computer, consider setting the browser to delete individual browsing data each time you close the browser. This allows you to access sites that place cookies and delete any visit information at the end of the session.
Install and regularly update anti-spyware applications.
Many spyware detection and prevention applications include detection of site attacks. Thus, they prevent the browser from accessing websites that could exploit browser vulnerabilities or download malicious software. Make sure your browser is always updated. Many cookie-based attacks exploit weaknesses in outdated browser versions.
Cookies are everywhere and cannot be avoided if you wish to enjoy access to the best and largest websites on the Internet—both local and international. With a clear understanding of how they operate and the benefits they bring, you can take the necessary security measures to browse the Internet with confidence.
How Can I Disable Cookies?
Disabling and refusing to receive cookies may make certain websites impractical or difficult to visit and use. Also, refusing to accept cookies does not mean that you will no longer receive or see online advertising.
It is possible to configure your browser so that these cookies are no longer accepted, or you can set your browser to accept cookies from a specific site. However, 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.