Cookies

What are Cookies?

Our website uses HTTP cookies to store user-specific data. Below, we explain what cookies are and why they are used, so you can better understand the following privacy policy.

Whenever you browse the Internet, you use a browser. Well-known browsers include Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Microsoft Edge. Most websites store small text files in your browser. These files are called cookies.

One thing is undeniable: cookies are really useful helpers. Almost all websites use cookies. More precisely, they use HTTP cookies, as there are other types of cookies for different applications. HTTP cookies are small files that are stored on your computer by our website. These cookie files are automatically stored in the cookie folder, the “brain” of your browser. A cookie consists of a name and a value. When defining a cookie, one or more attributes must also be specified.

Cookies store certain user data, such as language or personal site settings. When you revisit our site, your browser sends the “user-specific” information back to our site. Thanks to the cookies, our website knows who you are and offers you the settings you are accustomed to. In some browsers, each cookie has its own file, while in others, such as Firefox, all cookies are stored in a single file.

The following graphic shows a possible interaction between a web browser, like Chrome, and the web server. The web browser requests a website and receives a cookie from the server, which the browser reuses whenever another page is requested.

HTTP Cookie Interaction between Browser and Web Server

There are both first-party cookies and third-party cookies. First-party cookies are created directly by our site, while third-party cookies are created by partner websites (e.g., Google Analytics). Each cookie is unique, as each cookie stores different data. The expiration time of a cookie also varies, from a few minutes to several years. Cookies are not software programs and do not contain viruses, Trojans, or other “malware.” Cookies also cannot access information on your PC.

Here is an example of what cookie data might look like:

Name: _ga
Value: GA1.2.1326744211.152111815869-9
Purpose: Distinguishing website visitors
Expiration date: after 2 years

A browser should support at least the following minimum sizes:

• At least 4096 bytes per cookie
• At least 50 cookies per domain
• At least 3000 cookies total

What types of cookies are there?

The types of cookies we specifically use depend on the services used and are explained in the following sections of the privacy policy. Here, we briefly explain the different types of HTTP cookies.

There are four types of cookies:

1. Essential Cookies
   These cookies are necessary to ensure basic functions of the website. For example, these cookies are needed when a user adds a product to the cart, then continues to browse other pages, and only later proceeds to checkout. These cookies ensure that the cart is not deleted, even if the user closes the browser window.
2. Functional Cookies
   These cookies collect information about user behavior and whether the user receives any error messages. These cookies also measure the loading time and behavior of the website in different browsers.
3. Targeting Cookies
   These cookies provide a better user experience. For example, entered locations, font sizes, or form data are saved.
4. Advertising Cookies
   These cookies are also called targeting cookies. They serve to deliver customized advertising to the user. This can be very useful, but also very annoying.

You are usually asked upon your first visit to a website which of these cookie types you want to allow. And of course, this decision is also stored in a cookie.

If you want to learn more about cookies and are not afraid of technical documentation, we recommend https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc6265, the Request for Comments by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) titled “HTTP State Management Mechanism.”

Purpose of processing through cookies

The purpose ultimately depends on the respective cookie. More details can be found below or from the software manufacturer that sets the cookie.

What data is processed?

Cookies are small helpers for many different tasks. Unfortunately, it is not possible to generalize what data is stored in cookies, but we will inform you about the processed or stored data within the framework of the following privacy policy.

Storage duration of cookies

The storage duration depends on the respective cookie and will be specified below. Some cookies are deleted after less than an hour, while others can remain on a computer for several years.

You also have control over the storage duration. You can manually delete all cookies at any time via your browser (see “Right to Object” below). Furthermore, cookies based on consent will be deleted at the latest after you withdraw your consent, although the legality of the storage remains unaffected until then.

Right to object – how can I delete cookies?

You decide whether and how you want to use cookies. Regardless of the service or website the cookies come from, you always have the option to delete, deactivate, or only partially allow cookies. For example, you can block third-party cookies but allow all other cookies.

If you want to see which cookies are stored in your browser, change or delete cookie settings, you can find this in your browser settings:

• Chrome: Delete, enable, and manage cookies in Chrome
• Safari: Manage cookies and website data with Safari
• Firefox: Delete cookies to remove data that websites have placed on your computer
• Internet Explorer: Delete and manage cookies
• Microsoft Edge: Delete and manage cookies

If you generally do not want any cookies, you can set your browser to inform you whenever a cookie is to be set. This way, you can decide for each individual cookie whether to allow it or not. The procedure varies by browser. It is best to search Google for instructions with the term “delete cookies Chrome” or “disable cookies Chrome” in the case of a Chrome browser.

Legal basis

Since 2009, there have been the so-called “cookie guidelines.” It states that storing cookies requires your consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR). However, there are very different responses to these guidelines within EU countries. In Austria, this directive was implemented in Section 96(3) of the Telecommunications Act (TKG). In Germany, the cookie guidelines were not implemented as national law. Instead, this directive was largely implemented in Section 15(3) of the Telemedia Act (TMG).

For essential cookies, even if no consent is present, there are legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR), which are mostly economic in nature. We want to provide website visitors with a pleasant user experience, and certain cookies are often absolutely necessary for this.

If non-essential cookies are used, this is only done with your consent. The legal basis is Article 6(1)(a) GDPR.

All texts are protected by copyright.

Source: Created with the Privacy Policy Generator from AdSimple