01
What are cookies
A simple explanation
Cookies are small text files that a website places on your device — computer, tablet, or smartphone — when you visit it. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently, to remember your preferences, and to provide information to the website owner about how visitors interact with the site.
How cookies work
Each time you return to a website, your browser sends the stored cookies back to the server. This allows the website to recognise your device, recall your settings, and deliver a more consistent and personalised experience. Cookies cannot execute code, carry viruses, or access other information on your device beyond what the website placed there.
Cookie lifetimes
Session cookies are temporary and are erased when you close your browser. Persistent cookies remain on your device for a defined period — which can range from a few hours to several years — or until you delete them manually. We use both types, and the purpose and duration of each is described in the sections below.