Cookies are small files that a web browser stores on a computer, mobile device, or another device used by a user to visit a website. These files are stored at the request of the website and used for future needs. These needs may vary depending on the purpose of the cookie. For example, cookies may store data such as the language a visitor selected for viewing a multilingual website, the sequence of visited pages to allow the user to navigate backward in the same order, a list of items added to a shopping cart in an online store, or more sensitive information such as the user’s IP address, username and password, email address, geolocation, whether the user is on a computer or mobile device, and which pages of the website were visited, among others.

According to their duration, cookies can be categorized as:

• Persistent cookies (saved) – these are cookies that remain stored on the computer or device after the web browser is closed. They allow websites to save data such as login name and password, language preferences, or cookie settings so that users don’t need to re-enter them on future visits. Persistent cookies can remain on a device for days, months, or even years.
• Session Cookies – these are cookies that are removed from the computer or device after the web browser is closed. They allow websites to store temporary information, such as the last few pages visited on the website or items placed in a shopping cart on an e-commerce website.

Based on their source, cookies can be:

• First party cookies – these are cookies stored by the website the user is directly visiting, such as an online store when making a purchase online.
• Third party cookies – These are cookies stored by other websites or web services that are part of the primary website the user is visiting. They are commonly used to track user behavior on the primary site or may be necessary for the proper functioning of a third-party service (e.g., a web chat service that stores a user ID to know which user to route a message to).

According to their function, there are several types of cookies, most commonly:

• Technical/Necessary cookies – these cookies are essential for the core functionality of the website, such as session identifiers for a user's current visit or the contents of a shopping cart in an online store.
• Functional cookies – these cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization on the website, such as remembering the preferred language in which the website's content is displayed.
• Statistical cookies – these cookies collect information about how users visit and interact with the website and its pages. Data is generally collected in aggregate form without identifying individual users.
• Marketing cookies – these cookies collect information about user habits and behavior on the website in order to display personalized ads

You can manage non-essential cookies for this website in the cookie control panel. 

By disabling cookies, the user chooses whether to allow cookies to be stored on their computer. Additionally, you can accept or reject some or all cookies by adjusting your browser settings. Cookie settings can also be managed and configured directly in your web browser. The following links provide information on how to change settings for some of the most commonly used web browsers:

• Chrome 
• Firefox
• Internet Explorer 9
• Internet Explorer 7 i 8
• Opera
• Safari

Some browsers pffer a „private“ or „incognito“ browsing mode, which limits the amount of data stored on your computer and automatically deletes persistent cookies set on your computer or mobile device once the browsing session ends. There are also many third-party applications that can be added to your browser to block or manage cookies. You can also manually delete cookies previously stored in your browser by selecting the option to clear your browsing history, including cookies. More detailed information about cookies and how to adjust browser settings can be found at the following links:

• http://www.allaboutcookies.org/
• http://www.youronlinechoices.eu/
• http://www.aboutads.info/choices/