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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 their 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 on measures implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of April 27, 2016 on the protection of individuals 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 consent before cookies are transmitted to their computers.
What is a cookie?
An "Internet Cookie" (also known as a "browser cookie", "HTTP cookie" or simply "cookie") is a small file made up of letters and numbers that will be stored on a user's computer, mobile terminal or other equipment from which the Internet is accessed. The cookie is installed by a web-server's request to a browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Chrome) and is completely "passive" (it contains no software programs, viruses or spyware and cannot access the information on the user's equipment).
Purpose and use of cookies
The routescan.io website installs cookies only to allow us to improve the functions offered, so that the experience of visiting the website becomes more pleasant.
Routescan.io does not use cookies to collect, process, disseminate or record personal data. "Cookies" play an important role in facilitating access to and delivery of the many services the user enjoys on the Internet, such as:
- Personalizing 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 (measurements, other details, etc.) in the shopping cart (and memorizing these options) - thus generating "shopping cart" flexibility;
• accessing old preferences by clicking the "Next" and "Back" buttons.
- Cookies provide site owners with feedback on how their sites are being used by users, so that they can make them even more efficient and user-friendly;
- Allow multimedia or other applications from other sites to be embedded on a particular site to create a more valuable, useful and enjoyable browsing experience;
Improve the efficiency of online advertising.
What are the benefits 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 provide users with a pleasant browsing experience and support the efforts of many websites to provide convenient services to users: e.g. online privacy preferences, site language options, shopping carts or relevant advertising.
What is the lifetime of a cookie?
Cookies are managed by web-servers. The lifetime 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 not 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 via the browser settings.
What are third-party cookies?
Certain sections of content on some websites may be provided via third parties/providers (e.g. a 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 applicable law and the website owner's privacy policies. These cookies may come from the following third parties: facebook.com, twitter.com, etc.
How cookies are used by the website
A visit to the website may place cookies for the purposes of:
- increasing website performance;
- analyzing visitors;
- geo-targeting;
- user registration.
Other third party cookies
On some pages, third parties may set their own anonymous cookies in order to track the success of an application or to customize an application. Because of the way it is used, the website cannot access these cookies, just as third parties cannot access cookies owned by that website. For example, when the user shares an article using the social networking button on a website, that social network will record the user's activity, not the website where the button is located.
What 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 your web browsing experience, for example:
- the language settings in which you want to access a website;
- keeping a user logged into a 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 user-friendly browsing experience tailored to each user's preferences and interests. Refusing or disabling cookies may make some websites unusable. Rejecting or disabling cookies does not mean that the user will no longer receive online advertising - it just means that it will no longer be able to take into account the user's preferences and interests as evidenced by browsing behavior. Examples of important uses of cookies (which do not require authentication of a user via an account):
- Content and services tailored to user preferences - categories such as news, weather, sports, maps, public and government services, entertainment websites and travel services;
- offers tailored to users' interests - retention of passwords, language preferences (e.g. displaying search results in English)
- Retention of child protection filters on Internet content (e.g. family mode options, safe search functions);
- measurement, optimization and analytics features - such as: confirming a certain level of traffic to a website, what type of content is being viewed and how a user gets to a website (e.g. through search engines, directly, from other websites, etc.). Website owners run these analytics 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 of pieces of code, so they cannot be executed, nor can they run automatically. Consequently, they cannot be duplicated or replicated on other networks to run or replicate themselves again. Since they cannot perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses. Cookies can, however, be used for negative purposes. Because they store information about users' browsing preferences and history, both on a particular 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 their 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 particular site.
Other security issues related to cookies
Since identity protection is very valuable and is the right of every Internet user, it is advisable to be aware of the potential problems that cookies can create. Because cookies constantly transmit information back and forth between the browser and the website, 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 wrong cookie settings on web-servers. If a website does not require the browser to use only encrypted channels, attackers can use this vulnerability to trick browsers into sending information over insecure channels. Attackers then use the information in order to gain unauthorized access to certain websites. It is very important that users are careful in choosing the most appropriate way to protect their personal information.
Tips for safe and responsible browsing based on cookies
Because of their flexibility and the fact that most of the most visited websites, including the biggest ones, use cookies, they are almost unavoidable. Disabling cookies will prevent the user from accessing the most popular and widely used sites, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Gmail, Yahoo and others. Here are some tips that can ensure that you browse without worry but with cookies:
- Customize your browser's cookie settings to reflect a comfortable level of cookie security for you;
- if you don't mind cookies and you are the only person using your computer, you can set long expiry times for storing your browsing history and personal access data;
- if you share access to your computer, you can consider setting your browser to erase individual browsing data each time you close your browser. This is an alternative to accessing websites that place cookies and deleting any visiting information when you close your browsing session;
- install and constantly update your anti-spyware applications. Many spyware detection and prevention applications include website attack detection. This prevents your browser from accessing websites that could exploit browser vulnerabilities or download dangerous software;
- making sure your browser is always up-to-date. Many cookie-based attacks are carried out by exploiting weaknesses in older browser versions.
Cookies are everywhere and cannot be avoided if you want to enjoy access to the best and biggest sites 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 so that you can surf the Internet with confidence.
What do you do if you do not want cookies installed on your computer?
Some people find the storage of information extracted from their computer or mobile device relatively intrusive, especially when that information is stored and used by unknown third parties. If you prefer, you can block all or some cookies or even remove cookies that have been installed on your terminal. Be aware, however, that you may not be able to use certain features. To enable this blocking, you need to change your browser's privacy settings. Some third party operators have developed tools with modules to disable the collection and use of data. Disabling and refusing to receive cookies may make certain websites impracticable or difficult to visit and use. Also, refusal to accept cookies does not mean that the user will no longer receive/see online advertising. It is possible to adjust in the browser so that cookies are no longer accepted, or it is possible to adjust the browser to accept cookies from a particular 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 can usually be found in the "Options", "Settings" or "Preferences" menus (buttons) of the browser.