1. Introduction
This Cookie Policy applies to all users of this website. The information presented below is intended to inform users of this website about the placement, use, and management of cookies by Proevents International SRL in the context of users’ browsing of this website.
2. What are cookies?
We use the term “cookies” to refer to cookies and similar technologies through which information can be collected automatically.
An “Internet Cookie” (also known as a “browser cookie” or “HTTP cookie” or “cookie”) represents a small file consisting of letters and numbers, which will be stored on the computer, mobile terminal or other equipment of a user through which the internet is accessed.
Cookies are installed by request from a web-server to a browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome). Once installed, cookies have a determined existence period, remaining “passive”, meaning they do not contain software programs, viruses or spyware and will not access information from the hard drive of the user on whose equipment they have been installed.
A cookie consists of two parts: the cookie name and the cookie content or value.
Technically, only the web-server that sent the cookie can access it again when a user returns to the website associated with that web-server.
3. Purposes of cookies on this website
Cookies are used to provide users of this website with a better browsing experience and services tailored to the needs and interests of each user, namely for:
- Improving the use of this website, including by identifying any errors that occur during users’ visits/use;
- Providing anonymous statistics about how this website is used to Proevents International SRL, as the owner of this website;
- Anticipating any goods that will be made available to users through this website in the future, depending on the services/products accessed.
Based on feedback transmitted through cookies regarding how this website is used, Proevents International SRL can take measures to make this website more efficient and accessible to users.
Thus, the use of cookies allows the memorization of certain settings/preferences established by users of this website, such as:
- The language in which a website is viewed;
- The currency in which certain prices or tariffs are expressed;
- Facilitating user account access;
- Posting comments on the site.
4. What is the lifespan of cookies?
The lifespan of cookies can vary significantly, depending on the purpose for which they are placed. There are the following categories of cookies which determine their lifespan:
- Session cookies. A “session cookie” is a cookie that is automatically deleted when the user closes their browser.
- Persistent or fixed cookies. A “persistent” or “fixed” cookie is a cookie that remains stored on the user’s terminal until it reaches a certain expiration date (which can be a few minutes, days, or years in the future) or until deleted by the user at any time through browser settings.
5. Why are cookies important for the Internet?
Cookies represent the central point of efficient Internet functionality, helping to generate a friendly browsing experience tailored to each user’s preferences and interests. 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 simply means that the advertising will not take into account the user’s preferences and interests, as evidenced by browsing behavior.
Examples of important cookie usages (which do not require user authentication through an account):
- Content and services tailored to user preferences: news categories, weather, sports, maps, public and government services, entertainment websites and tourism services;
- Offers tailored to user interests: password retention, language preferences (e.g.: displaying search results in your language);
- Retention of child protection filters regarding internet content (family mode options, safe search functions);
- Measurement, optimization and analytics features, such as: confirmation of a certain level of traffic on a website, what type of content is viewed, and how a user arrives at a website (e.g. through search engines, directly, from other websites etc.). Website owners conduct these analyses to perfect websites for users’ benefit.
6. Security and confidentiality issues
Cookies are NOT viruses! They use plain text formats. They are not composed of pieces of code, so they cannot be executed, nor can they run automatically. As a result, they cannot duplicate or replicate on other networks to run or replicate again. Because they cannot perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses. Cookies can, however, be used for negative purposes. Since 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 mark cookies for deletion as part of anti-virus/anti-spyware deletion/scanning procedures. In general, browsers have built-in privacy settings, providing different levels of cookie acceptance, validity period and automatic deletion after the user has visited a particular site.
7. 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 course of data transmission, 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 webservers. If a website does not require the browser to only use 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 that users are careful in choosing the most appropriate method of protecting personal information.
8. What cookies are used through this website
By using/visiting the website, the following cookies may be placed:
a. Performance cookies
Through this type of cookies, the preferences of users of this website are memorized, so that setting preferences again when visiting the website later is no longer necessary.
b. User analysis cookies
These cookies inform us if a particular user of the website has previously visited/used this website. These cookies are used only for statistical purposes.
c. Geotargeting cookies
These cookies are used by software that determines the country of origin of the website user. The same advertisements will be received regardless of the selected language.
d. Registration cookies
When you register on this site, cookies are generated that memorize this action. Servers use these cookies to show us the account you are registered with. Also, the use of these cookies allows us to associate any comment posted on the website with the username of the account used. If the “keep me registered” option has not been selected, these cookies will be automatically deleted at the end of the browsing session.
e. Advertising cookies
These cookies allow knowing whether a user viewed an online advertisement, its type and the time elapsed since the moment of viewing the respective advertising message. As such, these types of cookies are used for online advertising targeting. These cookies are anonymous, storing information about viewed content, but not about users.
9. Analytics and marketing services used on this website
Besides the cookie categories described above, this website uses the services listed here. They are controlled by the cookie banner shown on your first visit: choose Accept all to allow them, or Only necessary to browse without them. The website works the same either way.
a. Google Tag Manager
Provider: Google Ireland Limited. A container that loads the measurement tools below. It sets no cookies of its own and starts with every consent category set to denied, so nothing inside it can store data before you accept (Google Consent Mode v2).
b. Google Analytics 4
Provider: Google Ireland Limited. Purpose: statistics about visits, pages viewed, traffic sources and registrations started, so we can improve the website and our communication. Until you accept, Google Analytics runs in consent mode: it sets no cookies and stores no identifier, and only cookieless, aggregated signals are used. After you accept, it sets the cookies _ga and _ga_* (lifetime up to 2 years). IP addresses are not stored. Measurement continues on our registration website medcongresses.eventsair.com, so that a visit ending in a registration is counted once. You can opt out with the Google Analytics browser add-on at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
c. Meta Pixel (Facebook and Instagram)
Provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited. Purpose: measuring the results of our Facebook and Instagram campaigns and showing our announcements to people who have visited this website (retargeting). It is loaded only after you accept all cookies. Cookies: _fbp (3 months) and, if you are logged in to Facebook, fr (3 months, set by facebook.com). Manage your preferences at facebook.com/ads/preferences.
d. LinkedIn Insight Tag
Provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company. Purpose: measuring the results of our LinkedIn campaigns and showing our announcements to professionals who have visited this website. It is loaded only after you accept all cookies. Cookies: li_sugr, bcookie, lidc, UserMatchHistory and AnalyticsSyncHistory (lifetimes from 1 day to 1 year). Opt out at linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out.
e. Your choice, and how to change it
Your banner choice is kept in your browser only (local storage, key wbd-cookies-consent) and is never sent to us. To change it, reset your cookie choice: the page reloads and the banner asks you again. Withdrawing consent stops the services above from that moment on; cookies already set can be deleted from your browser settings.
10. What type of information is stored and accessed through cookies?
Cookies store information in a small text file that allows recognition of the browser. This website recognizes the browser until the cookies expire or are deleted.
11. Customizing browser settings regarding cookies
If cookie usage is not bothersome and the computer or technical equipment used to navigate this website is used only by you, long expiration terms can be set for storing browsing history.
If the computer or technical equipment used to navigate this website is used by several people, the setting for deleting individual browsing data each time the browser is closed can be considered.
12. Tips for safe and responsible cookie-based navigation
Due to their flexibility and the fact that the majority of the most visited websites, including the largest ones, use cookies, they are almost inevitable. Disabling cookies will not allow user access to the most popular and used sites, including: Facebook, X, YouTube, Gmail, Yahoo and others.
Here are some tips that can ensure you browse worry-free, with the help of cookies:
- Customize your browser settings regarding cookies to reflect a comfortable level of cookie security for you;
- If cookies do not bother you and you are the only person using the computer, you can set long expiration terms for storing browsing history and personal access data;
- If you share access to the computer, you can consider setting the browser to delete individual browsing data each time you close the browser. This is a way to access websites 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 your browser is always updated. 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 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 you can browse the Internet with confidence.
13. How can cookies be stopped?
Disabling and refusing to receive cookies can make this website difficult to visit, leading to limitations of its use possibilities. Users can configure their browser to reject cookie files or to accept cookies from a specific website.
All modern browsers offer the possibility to change cookie settings. These settings can usually be accessed in the “options” or “preferences” menu of your browser.
However, refusing or disabling cookies does not mean that you will no longer receive online advertising, only that it will not be adapted to your preferences and interests, as evidenced by browsing behavior.
For any additional questions about how cookies are used through this website, please contact: office@pproevents.com.