Cookie Policy

Please read the following information carefully:

• This website uses both its own cookies and third-party cookies to provide visitors with a much better browsing experience and services tailored to the needs and interests of each individual.
• In accordance with the EU "e-Privacy" Directive in force since May 26, 2012, and with the provisions of Law no. 506 of November 17, 2004, regarding the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector, all website visitors are required to consent before cookies are transmitted to their computers.

What is a "cookie"? - General information
An "Internet Cookie" (also known as a "browser cookie," "HTTP cookie," or simply "cookie") is a small file consisting of letters and numbers that will be stored on the computer, mobile device, or other equipment of a user accessing the Internet. The cookie is installed through a request issued by a web server to a browser (e.g., Internet Explorer, Chrome) 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 cookies
The anpc.ro platform only installs cookies to allow for the improvement of the functions offered, thus making the website browsing experience more enjoyable. The anpc.ro domain does not use cookies to collect, process, disseminate, or record personal data.
Cookies play an important role in facilitating access to and delivery of multiple services enjoyed by users on the Internet, such as:

• the language in which a website is viewed;
• the 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 flexibility in the "shopping cart";
• accessing old preferences by clicking the "Forward" and "Back" buttons.

Cookies provide website owners with feedback on how their sites are used by users so they can make them even more efficient and accessible to users; They allow 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; They improve 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 information already stored and react accordingly. Cookies ensure users have a pleasant browsing experience and support the efforts of many websites to provide comfortable services to users: e.g., privacy preferences online, language site options, 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 content sections on some sites may be provided through third parties/providers (e.g., news box, video, or 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 applicable law and the privacy policies of the website 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 a website may place cookies for purposes such as:

• improving website performance;
• visitor analysis;
• geotargeting;
• user registration.

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 how they are used, the website cannot access these cookies, just as third parties cannot access 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 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. The cookie stores important information that improves the browsing experience on the Internet, such as:

• language settings for accessing a site;
• keeping a user logged in to the webmail account;
• online banking security;
• retaining products in the shopping cart.

Why are cookies important for the Internet?
Cookies are at the heart of the efficient functioning of the Internet, helping to generate a user-friendly browsing experience tailored to the preferences and interests of each user. Refusing or disabling cookies can make some websites impossible to use. However, refusing or disabling cookies does not mean that the user will no longer receive online advertising – it just means that the advertising will no longer be personalized based on the user's preferences and interests, as identified through browsing behavior.
Examples of important uses of cookies (which do not require user authentication through an account):

• content and services tailored to user preferences – categories of news, weather, sports, maps, public and government services, entertainment websites, and tourism services;
• offers tailored to user interests – retaining passwords, language preferences (e.g., displaying search results in Romanian)
• retaining child protection filters for 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, direct, from other websites, etc.). Website owners conduct these analyses to improve websites for the benefit of users.

Security and Privacy 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 be duplicated or replicated 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 users' 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 flag cookies for deletion during anti-virus/anti-spyware scanning procedures. In general, browsers have built-in privacy settings that provide different levels of cookie acceptance, expiration 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 important to understand the potential problems that cookies can create. Since cookies constantly transmit information between the browser and the website in both directions, 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 require the browser to use only encrypted channels, attackers can exploit this vulnerability to trick browsers into sending information through unsecured channels. Attackers then use this information to access unauthorized websites.
It is very important for users to be careful in choosing the most suitable method for protecting their personal information.

Tips for Safe and Responsible Browsing Based on Cookies
Due to their flexibility and the fact that most of the most visited websites, including the largest ones, use cookies, they are almost unavoidable. Disabling cookies will not allow the user access to the most widespread and used sites, including: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Gmail, Yahoo, and others.
Here are some tips to ensure that you navigate safely and responsibly, with the help of cookies:

• Customize your browser settings regarding cookies to reflect a comfortable level of cookie usage security for you;
• If you don't mind cookies and you are the only person using the computer, you can set long expiration dates for storing browsing history and personal access data;
• If you share computer access, consider setting up your browser to delete individual browsing data each time you close the browser. This is a way to access websites that place cookies and delete any visit information when closing the browsing session;
• Constantly install and update antispyware applications. Many spyware detection and prevention applications include detection of attacks on websites. Thus, they prevent the browser from accessing websites that could exploit browser vulnerabilities or download harmful software;
• Make sure you always have an updated browser. Many cookie-based attacks exploit weaknesses in older browser versions.

Cookies are everywhere and cannot be avoided if you want to enjoy access to the best and largest websites on the Internet - both locally and internationally. With a clear understanding of how they work and the benefits they bring, you can take the necessary security measures to confidently browse the Internet.

How to Proceed If You Don't Want Cookies Installed on Your Computer?
There are individuals for whom storing information extracted from their computer or mobile device is relatively invasive, especially when the information in question 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 remove cookies that have been installed on your device. However, be aware that you may risk being unable to use certain functions. To activate this block, you need to modify your browser's privacy settings. Some third-party operators have developed tools whose modules allow the collection and use of data to be disabled. Disabling and refusing to accept cookies can make certain sites impractical or difficult to visit and use. Additionally, refusing to accept cookies does not mean that the user will no longer receive or see online advertisements. It is possible to adjust your browser settings to no longer accept these cookies, or you can adjust your browser 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 ability to change cookie settings.

These settings are usually found in the "Options," "Settings," or "Preferences" menus (buttons) of the browser.