What are cookies?
A website stores a so-called "cookie" in the visitor’s or user’s browser. Cookies are text files saved on the user’s computer, enabling analysis of their visits, the number of visits, and their interests during those visits. A cookie contains basic data about a user's visit to a specific website, such as the name of the visited site. The content of the cookie is stored in a special directory on the user's computer. By double-clicking the file, more detailed information about the visited website, date, and time of the visit can be accessed. All this data is also stored by the website operator.
Users can delete, disable, or conditionally use cookies through specific settings. However, this may prevent them from fully utilizing all website features. By default, browsers are set to accept cookies while rejecting cookies that do not originate from the domain listed in the address bar.
Types of Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Additional Cookies (Google Analytics)
__utma
Persistent cookie - remains on the computer for up to 2 years unless the cookie cache is cleared. It is used to distinguish between users and sessions. The cookie is created during the execution of the JavaScript library when no existing __utma cookies are present.
__utmb & __utmc
Cookie validity is 30 minutes. Used to determine a new session/visit. The cookie is created during the execution of the JavaScript library when no existing __utmb or __utmc cookies are present. It is updated each time data is sent to Google Analytics.
__utmz
Cookie validity is 6 months. Stores the traffic source or advertising campaign that defines how the user arrived at the site. The cookie is updated each time data is sent to Google Analytics.
__utmv
Persistent cookie - remains on the computer for up to 2 years unless the cookie cache is cleared. Used to store variable data at the visitor level. The cookie is created if the developer uses the _setCustomVar method with any variable at the visitor level. It is also used with the _setVar method. The cookie is updated each time data is sent to Google Analytics.