1. Cookie Usage Policy
This policy refers to cookies and the web pages operated by AMENSIS TRADE SRL, with its registered office at Str. Avram Iancu, No. 1C, Bucharest, Sector 1 (hereinafter referred to as Hotelines.gr).
2. What are Cookies?
A cookie is a small file, consisting of letters and numbers, which will be stored on a user’s computer, mobile terminal, or other equipment used to access the Internet. The cookie is installed by a request issued by a web server to a browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Chrome) and is completely “passive” (it does not contain software programs, viruses, or spyware and cannot access information on the user’s hard drive).
3. What are Cookies used for?
These files make it possible to recognize the user’s terminal and present content in a relevant way, adapted to the user’s preferences. Cookies ensure users a pleasant browsing experience and support Hotelines.gr’s efforts to provide comfortable services to users, such as: online privacy preferences, shopping cart, or relevant advertising. They are also used to prepare anonymous aggregated statistics that help us understand how a user benefits from our web pages, allowing us to improve their structure and content, excluding the personal identification of the user.
4. What Cookies do we use?
We use two types of cookies: session cookies and persistent cookies. Session cookies are temporary files that remain on the user’s terminal until the session ends or the application (web browser) is closed. Persistent cookies remain on the user’s terminal for a period defined by the cookie parameters or until they are manually deleted by the user.
5. How are cookies used by this website?
A visit to this website may place cookies for the purpose of:
• Website performance cookies
• Visitor analytics cookies
• Geotargeting cookies
• Registration cookies
• Advertising cookies
• Advertising provider cookies
6. Do Cookies contain personal data?
Cookies themselves do not require personal information in order to be used and, in most cases, do not personally identify Internet users. Personal data collected through the use of cookies may only be collected to facilitate certain functionalities for the user. Such data are encrypted in a way that makes unauthorized access impossible.
7. Deleting Cookies
In general, an application used to access web pages allows cookies to be saved on the terminal by default. These settings can be changed so that the automatic management of cookies is blocked by the web browser or the user is informed each time cookies are sent to their terminal. Detailed information about the possibilities and methods of managing cookies can be found in the settings area of the application (web browser). Limiting the use of cookies may affect certain functionalities of the web page.
8. Why are cookies important for the Internet?
Cookies represent the core of efficient Internet operation, helping to generate a friendly browsing experience adapted to the preferences and interests of each user. Refusing or disabling cookies may make some websites impossible to use.
Refusing or disabling cookies does not mean that you will no longer receive online advertising – it only means that it will no longer be able to take into account your preferences and interests, highlighted by your browsing behavior.
Examples of important uses of cookies (which do not require user authentication through an account):
• Content and services adapted to user preferences – product and service categories.
• Offers adapted to user interests – password retention.
• Retention of child protection filters regarding Internet content (family mode options, safe search functions).
• Limiting the frequency of ad displays – limiting the number of times an ad is shown to a particular user on a site.
• Providing more relevant advertising to users.
• Measurement, optimization, and analytics features – such as confirming a certain level of traffic on a website, what type of content is viewed, and how a user arrives at a website (e.g. via search engines, directly, from other websites, etc.). Websites run these analyses to improve their sites for the benefit of users.
9. Security and privacy-related issues
Cookies are NOT viruses! They use plain text formats. They are not made up of pieces of code, so they cannot be executed or self-run. Consequently, they cannot duplicate or replicate on other networks in order to run or replicate again. Because they cannot perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses.
Cookies can, however, be used for negative purposes. Because they store information about users’ preferences and browsing history, both on a particular site and on several other sites, cookies can be used as a form of spyware. Many anti-spyware products are aware of this fact and consistently mark cookies for deletion during anti-virus/anti-spyware scanning and removal procedures.
In general, browsers have built-in privacy settings that provide different levels of cookie acceptance, validity period, and automatic deletion after the user has visited a particular site.
Other security aspects related to cookies:
Because identity protection is very valuable and represents the right of every Internet user, it is advisable to be aware of the potential problems cookies can create. Since information is constantly transmitted both ways between the browser and the website, if an attacker or unauthorized person intervenes in the data transmission process, the information contained in cookies may 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 incorrect cookie settings on servers. If a website does not request the browser to use only encrypted channels, attackers can exploit this vulnerability to trick browsers into sending information through unsecured channels. Attackers then use the information to gain unauthorized access to certain websites. It is very important to pay attention when choosing the most appropriate method of protecting personal information.
Tips for safe and responsible browsing based on cookies.
Due to their flexibility and the fact that most of the most visited and largest websites use cookies, they are almost unavoidable. Disabling cookies will not allow users access to the most widespread and commonly used websites, including YouTube, Gmail, Yahoo, and others.
Here are some tips that can help ensure worry-free browsing with the help of cookies:
• Customize your browser settings regarding cookies to reflect a level of security that is comfortable for you.
• If cookies do not bother you and you are the only person using the computer, you can set long expiration periods for storing browsing history and personal access data.
• If you share access to the computer, you may consider setting the browser to delete individual browsing data each time you close the browser. This is a way to access sites that place cookies and delete any visit information at the end of the browsing session.
• Install and constantly update anti-spyware applications.
Many spyware detection and prevention applications include detection of website attacks. Thus, they prevent the browser from accessing websites that might exploit browser vulnerabilities or download dangerous software.
Make sure your browser is always up to date.
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 websites on the Internet – local or international. With a clear understanding of how they work and the benefits they bring, you can take the necessary security measures to browse the Internet with confidence.
Disabling and refusing cookies may make certain websites impractical or difficult to visit and use. Also, refusing to accept cookies does not mean that you will no longer receive/see online advertising.
It is possible to set your browser so that these cookies are no longer accepted or to set your browser to accept cookies from a specific site. But, for example, if you are not registered using cookies, you will not be able to leave comments.
All modern browsers offer the possibility to change cookie settings. These settings are usually found in the “options” or “preferences” menu of your browser.
To understand these settings, the following links may be useful; otherwise, you can use your browser’s “help” option for more details.
Cookie settings in Internet Explorer
Cookie settings in Firefox
Cookie settings in Chrome
Cookie settings in Safari
For cookie settings generated by third parties, you can also consult the website:
http://www.youronlinechoices.com/ro/
10. Useful links
If you would like to find out more information about cookies and what they are used for, we recommend the following links:
Microsoft Cookies guide
All About Cookies
http://www.youronlinechoices.com/ro/
Hotelines.gr uses the services of the following third parties for providing functionality, analytics, and advertising. These third parties may set and use cookies and/or similar technologies on the websites and applications operated by Hotelines.gr, as well as on websites and applications other than those operated by Hotelines.gr.
For more details, please consult the data protection policies as well as the user preference management guides and opt-out options provided by the companies that manage these services, where applicable.
Google Analytics
Category: Analytics
Purpose: Web analytics
Policies: https://www.google.com/analytics/terms/gb.html, https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245
Google AdWords
Category: Advertising
Purpose: Remarketing
Policies: https://policies.google.com/privacy, https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads