Cookie Policy

This document aims to inform users about the presence of cookies on the azur.ro website of AZUR SA. The information presented below is intended to inform users about the placement, use and management of cookies used by the azur.ro website.

1 What is a “cookie”?

1.1 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 they access the Internet.

1.2 The cookie is installed by a request issued by a web server to a browser (e.g., Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Opera, Edge) and is completely “passive” (does not contain software, viruses or spyware and cannot access information on the user’s hard drive).

1.3 A cookie consists of 2 parts: the name and the content or value of the cookie. In addition, the lifetime of a cookie is determined; technically, only the web server that sent the cookie can access it again when a user returns to the website associated with that web server.

1.4 Cookies themselves do not require personal information in order to be used and, in most cases, do not personally identify Internet users.

2 Categories of cookies

There are 2 broad categories of cookies:

2.1 Session cookies - these are stored temporarily in the cookie folder of the web browser, so that the browser remembers them until the user leaves the website or closes the browser window (e.g., when logging in/out of a webmail or social media account).

2.2 Persistent cookies - these are stored on the hard drive of a computer or device (and generally depend on the default lifetime 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 the most relevant advertising can be delivered to them.

3 What are the benefits of cookies?

3.1 A cookie contains information that links a web-browser (the user) to a specific web server (the website). If a browser accesses that web server again, it can read the information already stored and react accordingly.

3.2 Cookies provide users with a pleasant browsing experience and support the efforts of many websites to provide convenient services to users: for example, online privacy preferences, site language options, shopping carts or relevant advertising.

4 The lifetime of a cookie

4.1 Cookies are managed by web servers. The lifetime 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.

4.2 Other cookies are retained and reused each time the user returns to that website (“permanent cookies”). However, cookies can be deleted by a user at any time via browser settings.

5 What are third party cookies?

5.1 Certain sections of content on some websites may be provided through third party/suppliers (e.g., news box, a video or an advertisement). These third parties may also place cookies through the site 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 applicable law and the privacy policies of the site owner.

5.2 How cookies are used by this site:

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

• increasing website performance

• visitor analysis

• geo-targeting

• user registration advertising (including cookies from advertising providers

​5.3 These cookies may come from the following third parties: Google (Adwords, Analytics), Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, without this list being exhaustive.

6 Performance cookies

6.1 This type of cookie retains the user’s preferences on this site, so it is no longer necessary to set them each time the site is visited. Examples:

• volume settings for video player

• the video streaming speed your browser is compatible with

7 Cookies for visitor analysis

7.1 Each time a user visits this site, Analytics software provided by a third party generates a user analytics cookie. This cookie tells us whether you have visited this site before. Your browser will tell us if you have this cookie, and if not, we will generate one. It allows us to track unique users who visit us and how often they do so.

7.2 As long as you are not registered on this site, this cookie cannot be used to identify individuals, they are only used for statistical purposes. If you are registered we may also know the details you have provided to us, such as your e-mail address and username - these are subject to confidentiality and the provisions of the Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy and the provisions of current legislation regarding the protection of personal data.

8 Geo-targeting cookies

8.1 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 Romanian page or in another language you receive the same advert.

9 Registration cookies

9.1 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 (user ID) with which you are registered and whether you have permission for a particular service. It also allows us to associate any comments you post on our site with your username. If you have not selected the “Keep me logged in” option, this cookie will be automatically deleted when you close your browser or computer.

10 Advertising cookies

10.1 These cookies allow us to find out whether or not you have viewed an online advertisement, what type of advertisement it is and how long it has been since you saw the advertisement.

10.2 We also use these cookies to target online advertising. We may also use third party cookies for better ad targeting, cookies for Remarketing or Demographic Reporting, Interest Categories or Google Display Network. Other advertising features built into the site may involve the collection of data in Google Analytics via Anonymous Identifiers. All of these cookies are anonymous, they store information about the content viewed, not about users personally.

10.3 We do not facilitate the combination of personally identifiable information with non-personally identifiable information collected through any Google product or advertising feature unless there is visible notice of, and prior user consent to, such operation.

10.4 We also set anonymous cookies through other sites on which we advertise. By receiving them, we can then use them to recognize you as a visitor to that site if you subsequently visit our site and deliver advertising to you based on this information.

11 Other third party cookies

11.1 On some pages, third parties may set their own anonymous cookies, in order to track the success of an application, or to personalize an application. Due to the way of use, this site cannot access these cookies, just as third parties cannot access the cookies held 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.

12 What kind of information is stored and accessed through cookies?

12.1 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.

12.2 The cookie stores important information that improves the web browsing experience (e.g., settings of the language in which you want to access a site; keeping a logged in user in your webmail account; online banking security; keeping products in your shopping cart).

13 Why are cookies important for the Internet?

13.1 Cookies are central to the efficient functioning of the Internet, helping to generate a user-friendly browsing experience tailored to each user’s preferences and interests. Refusing or disabling cookies may make some sites unusable.

13.2 Refusing or disabling cookies does not mean that you will no longer receive online advertising - only that it will no longer be able to take into account your preferences and interests as evidenced by your browsing behavior.

14 Examples of important uses of cookies (which do not require a user to log in via an account)

14.1 Content and services tailored to user preferences - news categories, weather, sports, maps, public and government services, entertainment sites and travel services.

14.2 Offerings tailored to user interests - password retention, language preferences (e.g., displaying search results in Romanian).

14.3 Retention of child protection filters on Internet content (“family mode” options, “safe search” features).

14.4 Limiting the frequency of ads - limiting the number of times an ad is shown to a given user on a site.

14.5 Providing advertising with a higher level of relevance to the user.

14.6 Measurement, optimization and analytics features - such as confirming a certain level of traffic to a website, what type of content is being viewed and how a user arrives at a website (e.g., via search engines, directly, from other websites etc.) Websites run these analytics on their usage to improve websites for the benefit of users.

15 Security and privacy issues

15.1 Cookies are NOT viruses! They use plain text formats. They are not made up of pieces of code, so they cannot be executed or run themselves. Consequently, they cannot be duplicated or replicated on other networks to run or replicate themselves again. Since they cannot perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses.

15.2 Cookies can, however, be used for negative purposes. Because they store information about users’ browsing history and preferences, both on a particular site and on other sites, cookies can be used as a form of spyware. Many anti-spyware products take this into account and consistently flag cookies for deletion in anti-virus/anti-spyware deletion/scanning procedures.

15.3 Browsers generally have built-in privacy settings that provide different levels of cookie acceptance, validity period and automatic deletion after the user has visited a particular site.

16 Other security issues related to cookies

16.1 As identity protection is very valuable and is the right of every Internet user, it is advisable to be aware of the potential problems that cookies can create. Because they constantly transmit information back and forth between the browser and the website, if an attacker or unauthorized person interferes with the data transmission path, the information contained in cookies can be intercepted. Although very rare, this can happen if the browser connects to the server using an unencrypted network (e.g., an unsecured wi-fi network).

16.2 Other cookie-based attacks involve erroneous 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 transmitting information through unsecured channels. Attackers then use the information to unauthorizedly access certain websites. It is very important to be careful in choosing the most appropriate method of protecting personal information.

17 Tips for safe and responsible browsing based on cookies

17.1 Because of their flexibility and the fact that most of the most visited and largest sites use cookies, they are almost unavoidable. Disabling cookies will not allow the user access to the most popular and used sites, such as You Tube, Gmail, Yahoo and others.

17.2 Some tips that can ensure smooth browsing, but with cookies:

• customize your browser settings, in terms of cookies, to reflect a comfortable level, for you, of security regarding the use of cookies.

• if you don’t mind cookies and you are the only person using your computer, you can set long expiry times for storing browsing history and personal access data.

• if you share access to your computer with other people, you can set your browser to delete your individual browsing data every time you close your browser. This is a way to access sites that place cookies and delete any information about your access to the site when you close your browsing session.

• install and constantly update anti-spyware applications. Many spyware detection and prevention applications include detection of attacks on websites. This prevents your browser from accessing websites that could exploit browser vulnerabilities or download dangerous software.

• make sure your browser is always updated to the latest version. Many cookie-based attacks are carried out by exploiting weaknesses in outdated browser versions.

Cookies are everywhere and cannot be avoided if you want to enjoy access to the best and biggest sites on the Internet - local or international. With knowledge of how they work and the benefits they bring, you can take the necessary security measures so you can surf the Internet with confidence.

18 How to stop cookies

Disabling and refusing to receive cookies may make certain sites unusable or difficult to visit and use. Also, refusing to accept cookies does not mean that you will no longer receive/view online advertising.

It is possible to set your browser not to accept cookies, or your browser can be set to accept cookies from a particular site. But, for example, if you are not registered using cookies, you will not be able to post comments.

All modern browsers offer the possibility to change cookie settings. These settings are usually found in the “Options” or “Preferences” menu of the browser you are using.

To understand these settings, the links below may be helpful. Otherwise, for more details, you can use the “Help” option of your browser.

• Cookie settings in Internet Explorer

• Cookie settings in Firefox

• Cookie settings in Chrome

• Cookie settings in Safari

If you have any questions, you can contact us at the following e-mail address: office@azur.ro or by phone: 0723727984.

Links for information purposes:

• National Supervisory Authority for Personal Data Processing: https://www.dataprotection.ro/

• National Authority for Consumer Protection: https://anpc.ro/

• Online dispute resolution: https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/main/index.cfm?event=main.home2.show&lng=RO

• AZUR SA Bld Constructorilor, no. 1-3, Timișoara, Timiș, www.azur.ro, e-mail: office@azur.ro, phone: 0723727984