Informations about cookies
What is a Cookie?
A cookie is a small text file that is downloaded by your internet browser the first time you visit a website. The next time you visit this website from the same device, the cookie is either sent back to the originating website (first-party cookie) or to another website to which it belongs (third-party cookie). By that, the website can detect that it has already been opened using this browser, and can improve your user experience when you return to a website you have already visited. Cookies can for example remember your preferences, know how you use the website, and adapt the content you are shown so that it is more relevant to your personal interests and needs. Depending on the function and purpose of use, cookies can be divided in technical cookies, profiling cookies and third-party cookies.
Technical Cookies
These cookies do not require approval. These cookies enable features that are absolutely necessary to use the website as intended. These cookies are used exclusively on this website and are therefore first- party cookies. They are only saved on your computer while you are actually browsing the website. Other technical cookies are analytic cookies used to collect information, in aggregate form, on the number of users and on how they visit this site.
Profiling Cookies
These cookies require the prior consent of the user. Profiling cookies are used to collect information and send advertising messages in line with the preferences expressed by the user in the context of browsing the web.
Third-party Cookies
As these are cookies of other websites (the so called third-party cookies) you’ll find below the information regarding the consent or the refusal of these cookies.
Cookies on this website
Technical Cookies
__utma
This is one of the four main cookies set by the Google Analytics service which enables website owners to track visitor behaviour and measure site performance. This cookie lasts for 2 years by default and distinguishes between users and sessions. It it used to calculate new and returning visitor statistics. The cookie is updated every time data is sent to Google Analytics. The lifespan of the cookie can be customised by website owners.
__utmb
This is one of the four main cookies set by the Google Analytics service which enables website owners to track visitor behaviour and measure site performance. This cookie determines new sessions and visits and expires after 30 minutes. The cookie is updated every time data is sent to Google Analytics. Any activity by a user within the 30 minute life span will count as a single visit, even if the user leaves and then returns to the site. A return after 30 minutes will count as a new visit, but a returning visitor.
__utmc
This is one of the four main cookies set by the Google Analytics service which enables website owners to track visitor behaviour and measure site performance. It is not used in most sites but is set to enable interoperability with the older version of Google Analytics code known as Urchin. In this older versions this was used in combination with the __utmb cookie to identify new sessions/visits for returning visitors. When used by Google Analytics this is always a Session cookie which is destroyed when the user closes their browser. Where it is seen as a Persistent cookie it is therefore likely to be a different technology setting the cookie.
__utmz
This is one of the four main cookies set by the Google Analytics service which enables website owners to track visitor behaviour measure of site performance. This cookie identifies the source of traffic to the site – so Google Analytics can tell site owners where visitors came from when arriving on the site. The cookie has a life span of 6 months and is updated every time data is sent to Google Analytics.
__cfduid
Cookie assoiated with sites using CloudFlare, used to speed up page load times. According to CloudFlare it is used to override any security restrictions based on the IP address the visitor is coming from. It does not contain any user identification information.
di, psc, ssc, uid, uvc
These cookies are used to track usage of the Addthis.com service. Addthis allows the user to share a webpage with many social sites.
_stid _uset UID UIDR
Cookies set by the ShareThis plugin to provide buttons on all articles to help you share our content. ShareThis also makes use of Scorecard Research tracking which set the UID and UIDR cookies for browser behaviour research.
None
Third party cookies
How can I disable Cookies?
To disable, remove or block cookies it is possible to use the browser settings, as shown under the links below, but please be aware that, in case of deactivation, full enjoyment of the site may not be guaranteed.
If you do not use any of the browsers mentioned above, please choose the option “cookies” (“help feature”) to find out where your cookie settings are. Third party cookies can also be cancelled or deactivated by the user. For further information please have a look at the European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance website www.youronlinechoices.eu