What is a cookie

A cookie is a small file of letters and numbers downloaded on to a device when the user accesses certain websites. Cookies allow a website to recognise a user’s machine.

How are cookies used

Cookies might be used, for example, to remember your preferences on a website, to record what you have put in your shopping basket before you check out, to count the number of people looking at a website or to look at how users navigate the site.

Cookies can also be used to track your search history enabling web-based advertisers to display adverts that relate to your recent searches.

Are websites allowed to store cookies on my machine?

Following a change in law on the 26th May 2011, websites now require your consent before installing cookies. There are exceptions: A website is allowed to install cookies that are essential to the operation of the website. In all other cases, the website must provide you with information and options regarding the cookies.

What if I don’t want cookies on my machine

You could change your settings in your browser to disable all cookies, but you may find that many of the websites that you visit no longer work correctly.
If you simply want to stop behavioural advertising (adverts based on your search patterns), please visit www.youronlinechoices.com for more information.