Cookies policy

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY:

This website uses cookies to provide visitors with a much better browsing experience and services tailored to each individual's needs and interests.

What is a "cookie"?

A cookie is a small file, consisting of letters and numbers, that will be stored on the computer, mobile terminal, or other devices of a user accessing the internet. The cookie is installed by a web server's request to a browser (e.g., Chrome, Safari, Firefox) and is completely "passive" (it does not contain software programs, viruses, or spyware and cannot access information from the user's hard drive).

Purpose and use of cookie modules

The Authentic website installs cookie modules only to allow the improvement of offered functions, making the website-visiting experience more enjoyable. Authentic does not use cookie modules to collect, process, disseminate, or record personal data.

"Cookies" play an important role in facilitating access and delivering multiple services that users enjoy on the Internet, such as:

Customizing certain settings such as the language in which a site is viewed; Currency in which certain prices or rates are expressed; Retaining 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 using the "Back" and "Forward" buttons. Cookies provide website owners with feedback on how their sites are used by users, so they can make them more efficient and accessible;

Allowing multimedia or other types of applications from other sites to be included in a specific site to create a more valuable, useful, and enjoyable browsing experience;

Improving the efficiency of online advertising.

What are the advantages of cookies?

A cookie contains information that links a web browser (user) to a specific web server (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 provide comfortable services to users: e.g., preferences regarding online privacy, language options for the site, shopping carts, or relevant advertising.

What is the lifespan of a cookie?

Cookies are managed by web servers. 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, while other cookies are retained and reused every 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 sections of content on some sites may be provided through third parties/providers (e.g., news-box, a video, or an advertisement). These third parties may place cookies through another website, 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 current law and the privacy policies of the site owner.

These cookies may come from the following third parties: facebook.com, twitter.com, etc.

How are cookies used by the website

A visit to the website may place cookies for the following purposes:

Improving the website's performance; Analyzing visitors; Geotargeting; Recording user registrations. Other third-party cookies

On some pages, third parties may set their own anonymous cookies to track the success of an application or to customize an application. Due to the way they are used, the website cannot access these cookies, just as third parties cannot access the cookies held by that website. For example, when a user shares an article using the social media button on a website, that social network will record the user's activity, not the website where the button is located.

What type of information is stored and accessed through cookies?

Cookies keep 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, such as:

Language settings in which a site is to be accessed; Keeping a user logged into the webmail account; Online banking security; Keeping products in the shopping cart. Why are cookies important for the Internet?

Cookies are at the core of 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 websites impractical to use. Refusing or disabling cookies does not mean that the user will no longer receive online advertising—it only means that it will not be able to take into account the user's preferences and interests highlighted by browsing behavior.

Examples of important uses of cookies (that do not require user authentication through an account):

Content and services tailored to user preferences—news categories, weather, sports, maps, public and governmental services, entertainment websites, and tourism services; Offers tailored to user interests—remembering passwords, language preferences (e.g., displaying search results in Romanian); Retaining child protection filters regarding Internet content (family mode options, safe search functions); 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 at a website (e.g., through search engines, directly, from other websites, etc.). Website owners conduct these analyses to improve websites for the benefit of users.

Security and privacy-related issues

Cookies are NOT viruses! They use plain text formats. They are not composed of code snippets, so they cannot be executed or run automatically. Consequently, they cannot duplicate or replicate themselves 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. Since they store information about user preferences and browsing history, both on a specific website and on other websites, cookies can be used as a form of Spyware. Many anti-spyware products are aware of this and consistently mark cookies for deletion during anti-virus/anti-spyware scanning procedures. In general, browsers have integrated privacy settings that provide different levels of cookie acceptance, validity periods, and automatic deletion after the user has visited a particular site.

Other security aspects related to cookies

Because identity protection is highly valuable and represents the right of every Internet user, it is advisable to know what potential issues cookies can create. Since they constantly transmit information in both directions between the browser and the website, if an attacker or unauthorized person intervenes in the data transmission process, 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 web servers. If a website does not request 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 to access certain sites unauthorized. It is crucial for users to be attentive in choosing the most appropriate method of protecting personal information.

Tips for safe web browsing based on cookies

Due to their flexibility and the fact that most of the most visited sites use cookies, they are almost inevitable. Disabling cookies will not allow access to sites such as Youtube, Gmail, Yahoo, etc. Therefore, we offer some tips to ensure safe web browsing through cookies.

Customize browser settings regarding cookies. If you are the sole user of the terminal, you can set extended cookie expiration terms. If you are not the sole user of the terminal, consider deleting individual browsing data each time you close the browser. Install anti-spyware applications and keep them constantly updated. Ensure that the browser used is always up-to-date, as many cookie-based attacks are possible due to weaknesses in older browser versions. All browsers offer the possibility to customize cookie action modes. To understand these settings, access one of the links below, depending on the browser used:

Cookie Settings in Internet Explorer

Cookie Settings in Firefox

Cookie Settings in Google Chrome

Cookie Settings in Safari

What to do if you do not want cookies to be installed on your computer?

There are people for whom storing information extracted from their computer or mobile device is relatively invasive, especially when such information is stored and used by unknown third parties. If you prefer, you have the option to block all cookies or only some of them or even to eliminate cookies that have been installed on your terminal. Be aware, however, that you may risk not being able to use certain functions. To activate this block, you need to change your browser's privacy settings. Some third-party operators have developed tools whose modules allow you to disable data collection and use.

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 that the user will no longer receive/see online advertising. It is possible to adjust the browser so that these cookies are no longer accepted, or the browser can be set to accept cookies from a specific website. However, for example, if a user is not registered using cookies, they will not be able to leave comments. All modern browsers offer the possibility to change cookie settings. These settings are usually found in the menus (buttons) "Options," "Settings," or "Preferences" of the browser.