Cookies are text files that are downloaded onto a user’s device (such as a computer, tablet or mobile phone) and stored in their browser’s memory. These files can serve many different purposes, such as recognizing the user, collecting information about their browsing habits or customizing the way content is displayed.
The term «cookie» also covers other similar technologies that can be installed on a user’s device to collect information about the user or the device (examples include flash cookies, web beacons or web bugs, and HTML5 or pixel local storage). These technologies can be run in combination with cookies to collect and store information, which can be used to provide and store information on the user, to offer the user certain web services or features, or to display targeted advertising based on the third-party websites visited by the user.
The specific ways these technologies are used by the UOC are set out below. All cookies are disabled by default, except for technical or strictly necessary cookies, which are needed by the website in order to work.
The cookies used by the UOC fall under the categories shown below.
Based on the entity that manages them:
Own cookies. These cookies are sent from a UOC-managed domain or computer to the user’s device.
Third-party cookies. These cookies are sent to the user’s device from a domain or computer not managed or controlled by the UOC but from a third-party domain that processes the data collected through the cookies.
Based on how long they remain enabled:
Session cookies. These cookies collect data, in order to provide the requested service, while the user browses the UOC’s website. They expire or are deleted after a short time or on closing the browser.
Permanent cookies. These cookies are stored on the user’s device. They expire or are deleted after a long or medium amount of time.
Technical or strictly necessary cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to work properly and cannot be disabled in our systems. They are generally set to respond to the actions taken by you to receive services, such as adjusting your privacy settings, logging into the website or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block these cookies or warn you about their presence, but blocking them will prevent you from accessing certain sections and may render some features unavailable. No identifiable personal data is stored in these cookies.
Analytics or measurement cookies
These cookies enable the UOC to count the number of hits on the website and the sources of traffic in order to improve its performance. They help us know which pages are most and least popular and how many people visit the website. All the information collected by these cookies is aggregated.
Preference or customization cookies
These cookies improve the functionality of the website and enable us to customize it for each user. They may be set by the UOC or by third parties whose services we have added to our website. If you do not enable these cookies, some of our services may not work properly.
Behavioural advertising cookies
These cookies store information on users’ behaviour obtained through the constant observation of their browsing habits, which enables us to develop a specific profile so we can show them advertisements based on this behaviour. Rather than directly storing personal information, they use unique identifiers for the browser and the device used to access the website.
You can enable and disable any cookies you want other than those that are strictly necessary for the website to work.
Alternatively, you can enable or disable the use of cookies from your browser. Instructions on how to do this in the following browsers can be found below:
Google Chrome
Internet Explorer
Mozilla Firefox
Safari
For more information on the use and management of browser cookies and how to configure their settings, we suggest you check the website http://www.aboutcookies.org.
You can change these cookie settings at any time. Please remember that browser settings are specific to each browser. This means that, if you have particular cookie settings that you want to apply to another browser or device, you have to select the same options for the other browser or device.