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Cookie Policy

Cookie Policy

Cookie Policy

This website uses both its own cookies and third-party cookies to provide visitors with a much better browsing experience and services adapted to everyone’s needs and interests.

In accordance with the EU “e-Privacy” Directive, effective as of May 26, 2012, and the provisions of Law no. 506 of November 17, 2004, regarding the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector, all website visitors are asked for their consent before cookies are transmitted to their computers.

What is a “cookie”?

An “Internet Cookie” (also known as a “browser cookie”, “HTTP cookie”, or simply “cookie”) is a small file consisting of letters and numbers that will be stored on a user’s computer, mobile terminal, or other equipment used to access the Internet. The 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).

Purpose and use of cookies

The pluman-consulting.ro platform installs cookies only to enable the improvement of offered functions, so that the experience of visiting the site becomes more pleasant. The pluman-consulting.ro domain does not use cookies to collect, process, disseminate, or record personal data.

Cookies play an important role in facilitating access to and delivery of multiple services the user enjoys on the Internet, such as:

  • Personalizing certain settings such as:
    • The language in which a site is viewed;
    • The currency in which certain prices or rates are expressed;
    • Retaining options for various products (sizes, other details, etc.) in the shopping cart (and memorizing these options) – thus generating the flexibility of the “shopping cart”;
    • Accessing old preferences by accessing the “Forward” and “Back” buttons.
  • Cookies provide site owners with feedback on how their sites are used by users, so they can make them even more efficient and accessible to users;
  • They allow multimedia or other types of applications from other sites to be included in a certain site to create a more valuable, useful, and pleasant browsing experience;
  • They improve the efficiency of online 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 information already stored and react accordingly. Cookies ensure a pleasant browsing experience for users and support the efforts of many websites to provide comfortable services to users: e.g., 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 not retained once the user has left the website, while other cookies are retained and reused every time the user returns to that website (“persistent cookies”). However, cookies can be deleted by a user at any time via browser settings.

What are cookies placed by third parties?

Certain sections of content on some sites may be provided through third parties/providers (e.g., a news box, a video, or an advertisement). These third parties may place cookies through another website, and they are called “third-party cookies” because they are not placed by the owner of that website. Third-party providers must also comply with the law in force and the privacy policies of the site owner.

These cookies may come from third parties such as: facebook.com, twitter.com, etc.

How cookies are used by the website

A visit to the website may place cookies for the purposes of:

  • Increasing website performance;
  • Visitor analysis;
  • Geotargeting;

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, the website cannot access these cookies, just as third parties cannot access the cookies owned by this website. For example, when the user shares an article using the social network button located on a website, that social network will record the user’s activity, not the website where the button is located.

What type of information is stored and accessed via cookies?

Cookies keep 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. The cookie stores important information that improves the Internet browsing experience, for example:

  • Language settings for accessing a site;
  • Keeping a user logged into their webmail account;
  • Online banking security;
  • Keeping products in the shopping cart.

Why are cookies important for the Internet?

Cookies represent 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 can make some websites impossible to use. Refusing or disabling cookies does not mean that the user will no longer receive online advertising – only that it will no longer be able to take into account the user’s preferences and interests, highlighted by browsing behavior.

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

  • Content and services adapted to user preferences – news categories, weather, sports, maps, public and government services, entertainment websites, and tourism services;
  • Offers adapted to user interests – retaining passwords, language preferences (e.g., displaying search results in Romanian);
  • Retaining child protection filters regarding Internet content (family mode options, safe search functions);
  • 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., via search engines, directly, from other websites, etc.). Website owners run these analyses to refine websites for the benefit of users.

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, nor can they run automatically. Consequently, they cannot duplicate or replicate on other networks to run or replicate again. Because they cannot perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses.

Cookies can, however, be used for negative purposes. Because they store information about users’ preferences and browsing history, both on a specific website and on other websites, cookies can be used as a form of Spyware. Many anti-spyware products are aware of this fact and constantly mark cookies for deletion within anti-virus/anti-spyware deletion/scanning procedures. Generally, browsers have integrated privacy settings that provide different levels of cookie acceptance, validity periods, 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 potential problems cookies can create. Because information is constantly transmitted in both directions between the browser and the website through them, if an attacker or unauthorized person intervenes during the data transmission path, 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 (e.g., an unsecured WiFi network).

Other attacks based on cookies involve incorrect cookie settings on web 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 via unsecured channels. Attackers then use the information to gain unauthorized access to certain sites. It is very important for users to be careful in choosing the most appropriate method for protecting personal information.

Tips for safe and responsible browsing based on cookies

Due to their flexibility and the fact that the majority of the most visited websites, including the largest ones, use cookies, they are almost inevitable. Disabling cookies will not allow user access to the most widespread and used sites, including: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Gmail, Yahoo, and others.

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

  • Customize your browser settings regarding cookies to reflect a level of cookie security that is comfortable for you;
  • If you do not mind cookies and are the only person using the computer, you can set long expiration terms for storing browsing history and personal access data;
  • If you share access to the computer, you might consider setting the browser to delete individual browsing data every time you close the browser. This is a way to access websites that place cookies and to delete any visitation information when closing the browsing session;
  • Install and constantly update anti-spyware applications. Many spyware detection and prevention applications include detection of attacks on sites. Thus, they prevent the browser from accessing websites that could exploit browser vulnerabilities or download dangerous software;
  • Make sure you have your browser always updated. Many attacks based on cookies are carried out by exploiting the weaknesses of old browser versions.

Cookies are everywhere and cannot be avoided if you want to enjoy access to the best and largest 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 browse the Internet with confidence.

How do you proceed if you do not want cookies installed on your computer?

There are people for whom the storage of information extracted from their computer or mobile device has a relatively invasive character, especially when the information in question is stored and used by third parties unknown to them. If you prefer, you have the possibility to block all cookies or only some of them, or even to remove cookies that have been installed on your terminal. However, be aware that you risk not being able to use certain functions. To activate this block, you must modify the privacy parameters of your browser. Some third-party operators have developed tools whose modules allow disabling data collection and use.

Disabling and refusing to receive cookies can make certain sites impractical or difficult to visit and use. Also, the refusal to accept cookies does not mean that the user 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 website. But, for example, if a user is not registered using cookies, they 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”, “Settings”, or “Preferences” menus (buttons) of the browser.

General Rules

The site administrator declares the following:

  • They will make all reasonable efforts to achieve the purpose of the site;
  • They will make all efforts (technically or otherwise) for the good functioning of the site; however, there may be interruptions in operation, or impossibilities of access by Users, for an indefinite period of time, for any reason;
  • As new situations of any nature arise that require this, the Administrator may modify the conditions and terms of use.