About cookies

What are cookies in computers?

Also known as browser cookies or tracking cookies, cookies are small, often encrypted text files, located in browser directories. They are used by web developers to help users navigate their websites efficiently and perform certain functions. Due to their core role of enhancing/enabling usability or site processes, disabling cookies may prevent users from using certain websites.

Cookies are created when a user's browser loads a particular website. The website sends information to the browser which then creates a text file. Every time the user goes back to the same website, the browser retrieves and sends this file to the website's server. Computer Cookies are created not just by the website the user is browsing but also by other websites that run ads, widgets, or other elements on the page being loaded. These cookies regulate how the ads appear or how the widgets and other elements function on the page. For Managing cookies for different browsers see here.

Standard uses for browser cookies

Website servers set cookies to help authenticate the user if the user logs in to a secure area of the website. Login information is stored in a cookie so the user can enter and leave the website without having to re-enter the same authentication information over and over.

Session Cookies are also used by the server to store information about user page activities so users can easily pick up where they left off on the server's pages. By default, web pages really don't have any 'memory'. Cookies tell the server what pages to show the user so the user doesn't have to remember or start navigating the site all over again. Cookies act as a sort of “bookmark” within the site. Similarly, cookies can store ordering information needed to make shopping carts work instead of forcing the user to remember all the items the user put in the shopping cart.

Persistent or tracking Cookies are also employed to store user preferences. Many websites allow the user to customize how information is presented through site layouts or themes. These changes make the site easier to navigate and/or lets user leave a part of the user's “personality” at the site.

 

Cookies at www.bsp-southpool.com

1st pary cookies

These cookies are required for the site to function properly, therefore they can not be disabled by user.

Name	Purpose	Description	Expires	Your settings
PHPSESSID	system	Session cookie which is needed for the site to remember user inputs, shopping cart, etc.	Session	Accept

 

3rd party cookies

The following cookies are set by web services that we use to improve browsing experience. We recommend that you accept these cookies in order that we will continue to be able to improve user experience on our site according to actual users.

Name	Purpose	Description	Expires	Your settings
_utma _utmb _utmc _utmz	Web Analytics	Cookies are set by web analytics service Google Analytics, which tracks traffic source (how users came on this site, i.e. through specific keywords in search engine or referral link), viewed pages, browsers used (i.e. Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, ...) etc. We use these data to improve user experience according to the actual users of our site. Data is collected anonymously.	2 years 30 mins Session 6 months	Accept