A cookie is a small file, typically of letters and numbers, which a website transmits to the cookie file on the hard drive of the electronic device when the user accesses certain websites. Cookies allow a website to recognise a user’s device and therefore to remember who you are. However, cookies cannot read any personal information on your electronic device; they simply unlock the electronic device memory and allow a website to recognise you when you revisit a website.
There are two different durability types of cookies; so-called session or persistent cookies which enable your device to either remember information for the duration of your visit on the website (session cookies) or for repeat visits (persistent cookies). Session cookies get deleted from your device once you leave the website. Persistent cookies remain in a subfolder on your browser; a further visit on the website which originally placed the cookies on your electronic device will activate the cookie again. Persistent cookies remain on your electronic device for a specific time. The exact duration of these cookies is viewable in the cookie’s file stored in a subfolder of your browser.
Cookies are also distinguished into three different necessity levels. Firstly, so-called strictly necessary cookies, which are strictly necessary to enable you to move about the site or to provide certain features you have requested. This type of cookie cannot be disabled. Secondly, there are so-called functionality cookies used, which are cookies that enhance the functionality of website by storing your preferences. For example, these cookies allow remembering your language preferences or your user name on the Lifeplus website. Thirdly, there are so-called performance cookies, which help to improve the performance of the website, providing a better user experience. These cookies do not collect information which could identify you. All information these cookies gather is anonymous and is only used to improve how our website works.
Furthermore, cookies are also differentiated into so-called ‘First Party Cookies’ and so-called ‘Third Party Cookies’. Whether a cookie is a first party or a third party cookie refers to the website or domain which places the cookie. First party cookies are placed by the website the user actually visits and third party cookies are cookies which are set by a domain other than the one visited by the user, hence the name third party cookies. If you want to know more about cookies please have a look at the following link: http://www.allaboutcookies.org/.