Cookie Policy

COOKIE POLICY

Information document for users about the presence of cookies on the site.
The website http://soapmill.ro/ uses cookies.

The information presented below aims to inform the user about the placement, use, and management of "cookies" used by the website http://soapmill.ro/.

Please read the following information carefully:

This website uses first-party and third-party cookies to provide visitors with a much better browsing experience and services tailored to each individual's needs and interests. In what we call "web 2.0", "cookies" play an important role in facilitating access and delivery of multiple services that the user enjoys on the internet, such as:

Customizing certain settings such as: the language in which a site is viewed, the currency in which certain prices or tariffs are expressed, keeping options for various products (sizes, other details, etc.) in the shopping cart (and remembering these options) - thus generating the flexibility of the "shopping cart" (accessing old preferences by clicking the ''back'' and ''forward'' buttons)

Cookies provide website owners with valuable feedback on how their sites are used by users, so they can make them even more efficient and accessible for users.

They allow multimedia or other types of applications from other sites to be included on a particular site to create a more valuable, useful, and enjoyable browsing experience;

They improve the efficiency of online advertising.

WHAT IS A "COOKIE"?

An "Internet Cookie" (also known as a "browser cookie" or "HTTP cookie" or simply "cookie") is a small file, consisting of letters and numbers, which will be stored on a user's computer, mobile terminal, or other equipment from which the Internet is accessed. 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).

A cookie consists of 2 parts: the name and the content or value of the cookie. Furthermore, the lifespan of a cookie is determined; technically, only the webserver that sent the cookie can access it again when a user returns to the website associated with that webserver.

Cookies themselves do not request personal information to be used and, in most cases, do not personally identify internet users.

THERE ARE 2 MAIN CATEGORIES OF COOKIES:

Session cookies – these are temporarily stored in the web browser's cookie folder for it to remember them until the user leaves that 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 a computer or equipment's hard drive (and generally depend on the predetermined lifespan of 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 can be used anonymously to remember a user's interests, so that advertising as relevant as possible is delivered to users.

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 already stored information and react accordingly. Cookies ensure users a pleasant browsing experience and support the efforts of many websites to offer comfortable services to users: e.g. – preferences in terms of online privacy, site language options, shopping carts, or relevant advertising.

WHAT IS THE LIFESPAN OF A COOKIE?

Cookies are managed by webservers. 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 has left the website, and 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 browser settings.

WHAT ARE THIRD-PARTY COOKIES?

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

HOW ARE COOKIES USED BY THIS SITE?

A visit to this site may place cookies for purposes of:

Site performance cookies
Visitor analysis cookies
Geotargeting cookies
Registration cookies
Advertising cookies
Advertising provider cookies

These cookies may come from the following third parties: (Google, Facebook)

PERFORMANCE COOKIES

This type of cookie remembers user preferences on this site, so they do not need to be set each time the site is visited.

VISITOR ANALYSIS COOKIES

Each time a user visits this site, the analytics software provided by a third party generates a user analysis cookie. This cookie tells us if you have visited this site before. The browser will tell us if you have this cookie, and if not, we will generate one. This allows us to monitor unique users visiting us and how often they do so. As long as you are not registered on this site, this cookie cannot be used to identify individuals; it is used only for statistical purposes. If you are registered, we can also know the details you have provided us, such as your email address and username – these being subject to confidentiality and the provisions of the Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, as well as the provisions of current legislation regarding the protection of personal data.

GEOTARGETING COOKIES

These cookies are used by software that determines which country you are from. It is completely anonymous and is only used to target content – even when you are on our page in Romanian or another language, you receive the same advertisement.

Registration cookies When you register on this site, we generate a cookie that tells us whether you are registered or not. Our servers use these cookies to show us the account you are registered with and if you have permission for a specific service. It also allows us to associate any comments you post on our site with your username. If you have not selected "keep me logged in", this cookie will be automatically deleted when you close your browser or computer.

ADVERTISING COOKIES

These cookies allow us to find out if you have viewed an online advertisement, what type it is, and how long it has been since you saw the advertisement message. We also use these cookies to target online advertising. We may also use third-party cookies to better target advertising, for example, to show ads about holidays if the user has recently visited an article on the site about holidays. These cookies are anonymous; they store information about the viewed content, not about users. We also set anonymous cookies on other sites where we have advertising. By receiving them, we can then use them to recognize you as a visitor to that site if you later visit our site, and we will be able to deliver advertising based on this information.

ADVERTISING PROVIDER COOKIES

Much of the advertising you find on this site belongs to third parties. Some of these parties use their own anonymous cookies to analyze how many people have been exposed to an advertisement message, or to see how many people have been exposed to the same advertisement multiple times.

The companies that generate these cookies have their own privacy policies, and this site does not have access to read or write these cookies. Third-party cookies can be used to show you targeted advertising on other sites, based on your browsing on this site.

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 site cannot access these cookies, just as third parties cannot access cookies owned by this site. For example, when you share an article using the social media button on this site, that social network will record your activity.

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.

The cookie stores 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 the shopping cart)

WHY ARE COOKIES IMPORTANT FOR THE INTERNET?

Cookies are central to 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 sites impossible to use.

Refusing or disabling cookies does not mean that you will no longer receive online advertising – it just means that it will no longer be able to take into account your preferences and interests, highlighted by your browsing behavior.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT USES OF COOKIES (WHICH DO NOT REQUIRE USER AUTHENTICATION THROUGH AN ACCOUNT):

Content and services adapted to user preferences – news categories, weather, sports, maps, public and government services, entertainment sites, and travel services.

Offers tailored to user interests – remembering passwords, language preferences (e.g., displaying search results in English).

Retention of child protection filters for Internet content (family mode options, safe search functions).

Limiting the frequency of ad dissemination – limiting the number of times an ad is displayed to a specific user on a site.

Providing more relevant advertising to the user.

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 arrives on a website (e.g., through search engines, directly, from other websites, etc.). Websites perform these analyses of their usage to improve the sites 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 or self-run. 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.

However, cookies can be used for negative purposes. Because they store information about users' preferences and browsing history, both on a specific site and on several other sites, cookies can be used as a form of Spyware. Many anti-spyware products are aware of this fact and constantly mark cookies to be deleted during anti-virus/anti-spyware deletion/scanning procedures. In general, browsers have integrated privacy settings that provide different levels of cookie acceptance, validity period, and automatic deletion after the user has visited a specific 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, if an attacker or unauthorized person interferes with 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 cookie-based attacks involve incorrect cookie settings on 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 through unsecured channels. Attackers then use the information for unauthorized access to certain websites. It is very important to pay attention when 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 most of the most visited and largest sites use cookies, these are almost inevitable. Disabling cookies will not allow the user access to the most widespread and used sites, including Youtube, Gmail, Yahoo, and others.

Here are some tips that can ensure you browse worry-free but with the help of cookies:

Customize your browser settings regarding cookies to reflect a comfortable level of security for your cookie usage.

If you don't mind cookies and you 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 can consider setting the browser to delete individual browsing data each time you close the browser. This is an option to access sites that place cookies and delete any visit information when closing the browsing session.

Install and constantly update your antispyware applications.

Many spyware detection and prevention applications include detecting attacks on sites. Thus, they prevent the browser from accessing websites that could exploit browser vulnerabilities or download dangerous software. Make sure your browser is always updated. Many cookie-based attacks are carried out by exploiting the weaknesses of older 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 CAN I STOP COOKIES?

Disabling and refusing to receive cookies can make certain sites impractical or difficult to visit and use. Also, refusing to accept cookies does not mean you 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 site. But, 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 browser's "options" or "preferences" menu.

To understand these settings, the following links may be useful, otherwise you can use the browser's "help" option for more details.

Cookie settings in Internet Explorer

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/196955

Cookie settings in Firefox

http://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cookies-information-websites-store-on-your-computer?redirectlocale=en-US&redirectslug=Cookies
Cookie settings in Chrome

http://support.google.com/chrome/bin/answer.py?hl=ro&answer=95647
Cookie settings in Safari

http://support.apple.com/kb/PH5042
For third-party cookie settings, you can also consult the website:

http://www.youronlinechoices.com/ro/

USEFUL LINKS

If you want to learn more information about cookies and what they are used for, we recommend the following links:

Microsoft Cookies guide

http://www.microsoft.com/info/cookies.mspx

All About Cookies

http://www.allaboutcookies.org/

The following site is available to provide more information about privacy related to online advertising: