1. Cookie Usage Policy

This policy refers to the cookies and web pages operated by I.P.G. STEEL & CONCRETE SRL.

2. What are Cookies?

A cookie is a small file made up of letters and numbers that will be stored on a user’s computer, mobile device or other equipment from which the Internet is accessed.

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 the information on the user’s hard drive).

There are 2 main categories of cookies:

• Session cookies – these are temporarily stored in the web browser’s cookie folder so that it remembers them until the user leaves that website or closes the browser window (e.g. when logging in/out of a webmail account or social networks).
• Persistent cookies – These are stored on a computer’s or device’s hard drive (and generally depend on the preset lifetime of the cookie). Persistent cookies also include those placed by a website other than the one the user is visiting at that time – known as "third party cookies" – which may be used anonymously to remember a user’s interests, so that advertising as relevant as possible can be delivered to users.

3. What are Cookies used for?

These files make it possible to recognize the user’s device and present the content in a relevant way, adapted to the user’s preferences.

Cookies ensure users a pleasant browsing experience and support the efforts of I.P.G. STEEL & CONCRETE SRL to provide comfortable services to users: e.g. online privacy preferences, shopping cart or relevant advertising.

They are also used in the preparation of anonymous aggregated statistics that help us understand how a user benefits from our web pages, allowing us to improve their structure and content, excluding the personal identification of the user.

4. What Cookies do we use?

We use two types of Cookies: session and fixed. The latter are temporary files that remain on the user’s device until the end of the session or the application (web browser) is closed. Fixed files remain on the user’s device for a period defined by the Cookie parameters or until they are manually deleted by the user.

5. How are cookies used by this site?

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

• Site performance cookies
• Visitor analysis cookies
• Geotargeting cookies
• Registration cookies
• Advertising cookies
• Advertising provider cookies

6. Do Cookies contain personal data?

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

Personal data collected through the use of Cookies may only be collected to facilitate certain functionalities for the user. Such data is encrypted in a way that makes unauthorized access impossible.

7. Deleting Cookies

In general, an application used to access web pages allows Cookies to be saved on the device by default.

These settings can be changed so that the automatic management of Cookies is blocked by the web browser or the user is informed each time Cookies are sent to their device.

Detailed information about the possibilities and methods of managing Cookies can be found in the settings area of the application (web browser). Limiting the use of Cookies may affect certain functionalities of the web page.

8. Why are cookies important for the Internet?

Cookies are central to the efficient functioning of the Internet, helping generate a friendly browsing experience adapted to each user’s preferences and interests.

Rejecting or disabling cookies may make some websites impossible to use.

Rejecting or disabling cookies does not mean that you will no longer receive online advertising – only that it will no longer be able to take your preferences and interests into account, as highlighted by your browsing behavior.

Examples of important uses of cookies:

• Content and services adapted to the user’s preferences – product and service categories.
• Offers adapted to users’ interests – remembering passwords.
• Remembering child protection filters regarding Internet content (family mode options, safe search functions).
• Limiting the frequency of advertisement display.
• Providing more relevant advertising for the user.
• Measurement, optimization and analytics features.

9. Security and privacy-related issues

Cookies are NOT viruses! They use plain text formats. They are not made up of pieces of code, so they cannot be executed nor can they self-run. Consequently, they cannot duplicate or replicate themselves on other networks in order to run or replicate again. Because they cannot perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses.

Cookies can, however, be used for negative purposes. Because they store information about users’ preferences and browsing history, both on a particular site and on several other sites, cookies can be used as a form of Spyware. Many anti-spyware products are aware of this fact and constantly mark cookies for deletion as part of anti-virus/anti-spyware deletion/scanning procedures.

In general, browsers have built-in privacy settings that provide different levels of cookie acceptance, validity period and automatic deletion after the user has visited a certain site.

Other security aspects related to cookies:

Because identity protection is very valuable and represents the right of every Internet user, it is advisable to know what potential problems cookies may create. Since information is constantly transmitted both ways between the browser and the website through them, if an attacker or unauthorized person intervenes in the data transmission path, the information contained in the cookie can be intercepted.

Although very rarely, 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 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. The attackers then use the information for unauthorized access to certain sites. It is very important to be careful in choosing the most appropriate method of protecting personal information.

10. Tips for safe and responsible browsing

Due to their flexibility and the fact that most of the most visited and largest websites use cookies, they are almost unavoidable. Disabling cookies will not allow the user access to the most widespread and used sites, including Youtube, Gmail, Yahoo and others.

Here are a few tips that can ensure that you browse without worries, but with the help of cookies:

Customize your browser settings regarding cookies to reflect a comfortable level of security for your use of cookies.

If cookies do not bother you and you are the only person using the computer, you can set long expiration periods for storing browsing history and personal access data.

If you share access to the computer, you may consider setting the browser to delete individual browsing data each time you close the browser. This is one way to access sites that place cookies and delete any visit information when the browsing session is closed.Install and constantly update antispyware applications.

Many spyware detection and prevention applications include site attack detection. Thus, they prevent the browser from accessing websites that could exploit browser vulnerabilities or download dangerous software.

Make sure that your browser is always updated.

Many cookie-based attacks are carried out by exploiting the weak points of old browser versions.

Cookies are everywhere and cannot be avoided if you want to enjoy access to the best and largest sites on the Internet – local or international. With a clear understanding of how they operate and the benefits they bring, you can take the necessary security measures so that you can browse the Internet with confidence.

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

It is possible to set the browser so that these cookies are no longer accepted, or you can set the browser to accept cookies from a specific site. But, for example, if you are not registered using cookies, you will not be able to leave comments.

 

All modern browsers offer the possibility to change cookie settings. These settings are usually found in the “options” or in the “preferences” menu of your browser.

To understand these settings, the following links may be useful, otherwise you can use the browser’s “help” option for more details.

• Cookie settings in Internet Explorer
• Cookie settings in Firefox
• Cookie settings in Chrome
• Cookie settings in Safari

For cookie settings generated by third parties: http://www.youronlinechoices.com/ro/

11. Useful links

If you would like to find out more information about cookies and what they are used for, we recommend the following links:

• Microsoft Cookies guide
• All About Cookies
• Emergency Ordinance 13/2012 for the amendment and completion of Law no. 506/2004
• www.youronlinechoices.eu/ro
• Cookies – what are they and how do they work?
• http://www.guardian.co.uk/info/cookies