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This website uses both its own cookies and third-party cookies to provide visitors with a much better browsing experience and services tailored to everyone's needs and interests.
In accordance with the EU "e-Privacy" Directive, in force since May 26, 2012, and the provisions of Law no. 190 of July 18, 2018, regarding measures for the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of April 27, 2016, on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation), all website visitors are asked for their consent before cookies are transmitted to their computers.
What is a "cookie"?
An "Internet Cookie" (also known as "browser cookie," "HTTP cookie," or simply "cookie") is a small file, consisting of letters and numbers, that will be stored on the computer, mobile terminal, or other equipment of a user accessing the Internet. The cookie is installed at the 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 on the user's equipment).
Purpose and Use of Cookies
The website www.probeauty.ro installs cookies only to improve the functions offered, so that the experience of visiting the site becomes more pleasant. www.probeauty.ro does not use cookies to collect, process, disseminate, or record personal data.
"Cookies" play an important role in facilitating access and delivery of the multiple services that the user enjoys on the Internet, such as:
- Customization of certain settings such as:
- the language in which a site is viewed;
- the currency in which certain prices or rates are expressed;
- keeping 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 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 for users;
- They allow multimedia or other applications from other sites to be included on a specific site to create a more valuable, useful, and enjoyable browsing experience;
- Improve the effectiveness of online advertising.
What are the advantages of cookies?
A cookie contains information that links a web browser (user) and a specific web server (website). If a browser accesses that web server again, it can read the information already stored and react accordingly. Cookies provide users with a pleasant browsing experience and support the efforts of many websites to offer comfortable services to users: e.g., online privacy preferences, 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 each time the user returns to that website ('persistent cookies'). However, cookies can be deleted by a user at any time through their browser settings.
What are third-party cookies?
Certain content sections 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 these 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.
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 purposes of:
- increasing website performance;
- visitor analysis;
- geo-targeting;
- 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 the way they are used, the website cannot access these cookies, just as third parties cannot access the cookies owned 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 via 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 Internet browsing experience, for example:
- language settings in which a site is to be accessed;
- keeping a user logged into their webmail account;
- online banking security;
- keeping products in the shopping cart.
Why are cookies important for the Internet?
Cookies are central to the efficient functioning of the Internet, helping to generate a friendly browsing experience adapted to the preferences and interests of each user. Refusing or disabling cookies can make some websites impossible to use. Refusing or disabling cookies does not mean that the user will no longer receive online advertising – it only means that it will no longer be able to take into account the user's preferences and interests, highlighted by browsing behavior.
Examples of important uses of cookies (which do not require user authentication through an account):
- content and services adapted to user preferences – news categories, weather, sports, maps, public and governmental services, entertainment websites, and travel services;
- offers adapted to users' interests – remembering passwords, language preferences (e.g., displaying search results in Romanian);
- remembering 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 on a website (e.g., through search engines, directly, from other websites, etc.). Website owners conduct these analyses to improve their websites for the benefit of users.
Security and Privacy Issues
Cookies are NOT viruses! They use plain text formats. They are not made up of code fragments, so they cannot be executed or run automatically. Consequently, they cannot duplicate or replicate on other networks to run or replicate again. Since they cannot perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses. However, cookies can be used for malicious purposes. Because 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 fact and constantly flag 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 specific 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 can create.
Because information is constantly transmitted in both directions 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 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 gain unauthorized access to certain sites.
It is very important for users to be careful in choosing the most appropriate method for protecting 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 inevitable. Disabling cookies will not allow the user to access the most widespread and used sites, including: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Gmail, Yahoo, and others.
Here are some tips that can ensure you browse safely, but with the help of cookies:
- customize your browser settings regarding cookies to reflect a comfortable level of cookie usage security for you;
- if you are not bothered by cookies and you are the only person using the computer, you can set long expiry terms for storing browsing history and personal access data;
- if you share computer access, you can consider setting the browser to delete individual browsing data every time you close the browser. This is an option to access websites that place cookies and delete any visit information when the browsing session is closed;
- install and constantly update anti-spyware applications. Many spyware detection and prevention applications include detecting site attacks. This prevents the browser from accessing websites that could exploit browser vulnerabilities or download dangerous software;
- make sure your browser is always up to date. Many cookie-based attacks are carried out by exploiting the weaknesses of old browser versions.
Cookies are everywhere and cannot be avoided if you want to enjoy access to the best and largest websites on the Internet – local or international. With a clear understanding of how they work and the benefits they bring, you can take the necessary security measures to browse the Internet with confidence.
What if you don't 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 the information in question is stored and used by unknown third parties. If you prefer, you can block all cookies or only some of them, or even delete cookies that have been installed on your device. However, be aware that you risk not being able to use certain functions. To activate this block, you must change your browser's privacy settings. Some third-party operators have developed tools whose modules allow data collection and use to be disabled. 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 adjusted to accept cookies from a specific website. But, 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 browser's "Options", "Settings" or "Preferences" menus (buttons).
