What are cookies and why do we use them?
A cookie is a file that is downloaded to the user’s device when accessing certain web pages to store and retrieve information about the browsing done from that device. Cookies allow the website to, among other things, store and retrieve information about the user’s decisions and habits. We use them to personalize the experience within our websites, identify and remember the registered user, and facilitate navigation.
It is important to note that the use of cookies does not provide personal data of the user, which remains anonymous.
The user can configure their browser to reject the use of cookies, in which case the personalization of the experience would not apply, although they would still be able to access the content of our websites normally. More information about cookies and how they work can be found on the Wikipedia page (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTTP_cookie).
What type of cookies does this website use?
Cookies, depending on their duration, can be divided into Session cookies or Permanent cookies. The first expire when the user closes the browser. The second expire when the purpose for which they are used is fulfilled (for example, to keep the user identified on the websites and services of this site) or when manually deleted.
Additionally, depending on their purpose, cookies can be classified as follows:
· **Performance Cookies**: These cookies remember your preferences for the tools available on the services, so you don’t have to reconfigure the service each time you visit. For example, this category includes:
• Volume settings for video or audio players.
• Video transmission speeds compatible with your browser.
· **Geolocation Cookies**: These cookies are used to determine in which country you are when you request a website or service. This cookie is completely anonymous and is only used to help target content to your location.
· **Registration Cookies**: These cookies are generated once the user has registered or logged in and are used to identify them on the website and services with the following purposes:
• Keep the user identified so that, if they close a service or website and later return, they remain identified, facilitating their navigation without needing to log in again. This functionality can be disabled by the user by clicking the “Logout” button, so the cookie is deleted, and next time they visit, the user will have to log in to be identified.
• Check if the user is authorized to access certain services, such as participating in a contest.
• Additionally, some services may use third-party connectors like Facebook, Twitter, or Google. When the user registers on a service with third-party credentials, they authorize the system to store a persistent cookie that remembers their identity and guarantees access to the website until it expires. The user can delete this cookie and revoke access by updating preferences on the social network or third-party identification system.
· **Analytics Cookies**: Each time a user visits a website or service, an external tool (Google Analytics, comScore, etc.) generates an analytics cookie on the user’s device. This cookie, created on the visit, will serve to identify the visitor anonymously during future visits. The main objectives are:
• Allow the anonymous identification of browsing users through the cookie (identifies browsers and devices, not people), and therefore approximate the count of visitors and their trends over time.
• Identify the most visited content, which is therefore the most attractive to users.
• Determine whether the user accessing the website is new or returning.
· **Social Cookies (Jetpack share-this links)**: These cookies are created to connect with social profiles. They make it easier to share content from the website on social media with just one link. **Important**: Unless the user decides to register on the website, the cookie will never be associated with any personally identifiable data. These cookies are only used for statistical purposes that help optimize user experience on the site.
For more information about the privacy policy of these analytics tools, visit: Google Analytics.
Cookie list and description:
The tables below summarize the cookies previously described and used on this website:
| STRICTLY NECESSARY COOKIES | ||
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Expiration |
| PHPSESSID | This cookie contains a session identifier, which distinguishes visits from different users when multiple users are visiting the website at the same time. It is essential for interactive page usage. For more information, see the PHP session manual page. | When the browser is closed |
| _dx_cookie_control | This cookie is used to detect whether the user’s browser accepts cookies. | – |
| ANALYTICAL COOKIES | ||
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Expiration |
| __utma | Collects data such as the number of times a user has visited the site, when their first visit was, and when their last visit occurred. Used by Google Analytics. | 2 years |
| __utmb | Takes a date and time when the user enters the website, calculating the duration of the visit. Used by Google Analytics to calculate visit time. | 30 minutes |
| __utmc | Takes a date and time when the user enters the website, calculating the duration of the visit. Used by Google Analytics to calculate visit time. | When the browser is closed |
| __utmz | Collects data about where the visitor comes from, the keywords used in the search engine, where they clicked, and from which part of the world they accessed. Used by Google Analytics. | 6 months |
How to disable cookies in the browser
Most browsers currently allow users to configure whether they want to accept cookies and which ones. These settings are usually found in the “Options” or “Preferences” menu of your browser.
Here are the instructions for configuring cookies in major browsers:
Chrome: Settings -> Show advanced options -> Privacy -> Content settings.
For more information, consult Google support or browser help.
Firefox: Tools -> Options -> Privacy -> History -> Custom Settings.
For more information, consult Mozilla support or browser help.
Internet Explorer: Tools -> Internet Options -> Privacy -> Settings.
For more information, consult Microsoft support or browser help. Safari: Preferences -> Security.
For more information, consult Apple support or browser help.
