What’s a cookie?
A cookie is a small text file that’s sent to your computer or other device by a site’s server. A cookie can be a record of your visit to a site, including information such as your User Name, time of last visit, pages viewed, etc. Contrary to what you might read elsewhere, cookies cannot get information from your hard drive against your will, destroy files, send you viruses, etc. An important point: Cookies can only contain as much information as you disclose to the site that sent it to you! In our case, that means any information included in your subscription form or that you input during the customization of our site.
Why do you use cookies?
We use cookies for basic reasons: To allow you to move more quickly and securely through our site. We accomplish this in many ways, using several different cookies. When you first enter our site, for example, we use a test cookie to confirm your browser’s ability to retain cookies, check our database to verify your subscription and log the Internet protocol (IP) that your session originates from. A cookie is then temporarily “set” within your browser to allow you to proceed — without having to ask you for your User Name and Password with each subsequent page you request. Without cookie technology, we wouldn’t be able to offer you convenient features such as the ability to store your User Name and Password and save settings for your customized experience.
What are the advantages of cookies?
- Faster, more secure access: So we don’t have to ask you to identify yourself with each new page requested. We can also deliver you customized information and store your settings more efficiently.
- Better information: We want to give you features and services that you’re interested in. By monitoring certain features, we can better serve your needs.
How can I amend my cookie preferences?
You can configure your browser settings to accept or reject all cookies, notify you when a cookie is set, or delete cookies that have already been set. You are always free to decline our cookies if your browser permits, although you may not be able to use certain features on our site. In addition, a number of companies offer utilities designed to help you visit web sites anonymously.
Do you use third party advertising cookies?
When you visit our site, you may receive cookies that are set by third parties. We use third party retargeting and remarketing features on our website. These technologies allow us to address internet users who previously visited the site by personalized advertising on our partners’ websites.
Because cookies do not contain or access any personal information, we also allow third parties, like ad networks and servers, to serve customized ads to you.