What is a cookie?
Cookies are text files containing small amounts of information (letters and numbers) which are downloaded to your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to collect standard internet log information and gather evidence in order to improve the website and the user experience. For example, cookies allow us to recognise and count the number of visitors to different parts of our websites and their geographical make-up, but also to make certain website features work, for example secure access to private areas of a website.
If the settings on the software that you are using to view our website(s) (your browser) are adjusted to accept cookies, we take this, and your continued use of our website, to mean that you accept our use of cookies.
Can cookies be turned off?
You can usually switch cookies off by adjusting your browser settings to stop it from accepting cookies. Doing so, however, will likely limit the functionality of our and a large proportion of the world’s websites as cookies are a standard part of most modern websites. It may be that your concerns around cookies relate to so called ‘spyware’. Rather than switching off cookies in your browser, you may find that anti-spyware software achieves the same objective by automatically deleting cookies considered to be invasive.
What cookies do we use?
We use analytical cookies to help us to improve the way our website works, for example by making sure users are finding what they need easily. These are non-essential cookies that allow us to collect information about how visitors use the website, for instance which pages visitors go to most often. We use Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google, Inc. to set cookies in order to evaluate use of our websites and compile a report for us. These cookies don’t collect personally identifiable information, such as IP address, but do use aggregate information gathered from it.
By continuing to use our websites, you agree that we can place this type of cookie on your device. Should you wish to remove or not use them, you can Opt-out of Google Analytics cookies.
Google stores the information collected by the cookie on servers in the United States. Google may also transfer this information to third parties where required to do so by law, or where such third parties process the information on Google’s behalf. We do not make, and do not allow Google to make, any attempt to find out the identities of those visiting our website.
We also use strictly necessary cookies. These are essential in order to enable you to move around the website and use its features. Without these cookies, services you have specifically asked for, like securely accessing your user page or remembering your cookies preferences, cannot be provided.
We do not use third-party cookies or cookies for advertising.