Cookie Policy

This website uses both first-party and third-party cookies to provide visitors with a better browsing experience and services tailored to each individual’s needs and interests.

In accordance with the EU „e-Privacy” Directive, in effect since May 26, 2012, and the provisions of Law No. 506 of November 17, 2004, regarding the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector, all visitors to the website are required to give their consent before cookies are transmitted to their computers.

What is a „cookie”?

An „Internet Cookie” (also known as a „browser cookie,” „HTTP cookie,” or simply „cookie”) is a small file consisting of letters and numbers that will be stored on a user’s computer, mobile terminal, or other devices used to access the Internet. The cookie is installed through a request sent 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 from the user’s hard drive).

Purpose and use of cookies:

The APPIC website, www.planpatru.ro, installs cookies only to allow the improvement of the functions offered so that the experience of visiting the site becomes more pleasant. APPIC does not use cookies to collect, process, distribute, or record personal data.

Cookies play an important role in facilitating access to and delivery of multiple services that the user enjoys on the Internet, such as:

Personalizing certain settings, such as:

  • the language in which a site is viewed;
  • the currency in which certain prices or rates are expressed;
  • maintaining options for various products (sizes, other details, etc.) in the shopping cart (and remembering these options), thus creating the flexibility of the „shopping cart”;
  • accessing old preferences by using the „Forward” and „Back” buttons.

Cookies provide website owners with feedback on how their sites are used by users, so they can make them more efficient and accessible for users.

Allow multimedia or other applications from other sites to be included on a specific site to create a more valuable, useful, and enjoyable browsing experience.

Improve the efficiency of online advertising.

What are the advantages of cookies?

A cookie contains information that creates a link between a web browser (user) and a specific web server (website). If the browser accesses that web server again, it can read the previously stored information and respond accordingly. Cookies ensure users a pleasant browsing experience and support the efforts of many websites to provide comfortable services to users, such as online privacy preferences, site language options, shopping carts, or relevant advertising.

What is the lifespan of a cookie?

Cookies are managed by web servers. The lifespan of a cookie can vary significantly, depending on the purpose for which it is placed. Some cookies are used exclusively for a single session („session cookies”) and are no longer retained once the user leaves the website, while other cookies are retained and reused every time the user returns to that website („persistent cookies”). However, cookies can be deleted by a user at any time through browser settings.

What type of information is stored and accessed through cookies?

Cookies store information in a small text file that allows a website to recognize a browser. The web server will recognize the browser until the cookie expires or is deleted. The cookie stores important information that enhances the Internet browsing experience, such as:

  • language settings in which a site is accessed;
  • keeping a user logged in to a webmail account;
  • online banking security;
  • keeping products in the shopping cart.

Why are cookies important for the Internet?

Cookies are central to the efficient operation of the Internet, helping to generate a friendly and tailored browsing experience to each user’s preferences and interests. Refusing or disabling cookies can make some websites unusable. Refusing or disabling cookies does not mean that the user will no longer receive online advertising – it just means that the advertising will no longer be tailored to the user’s preferences and interests, as reflected by their browsing behavior.

Examples of important uses of cookies (which do not require a user to be authenticated through an account):

  • Content and services tailored to user preferences – news categories, weather, sports, maps, public and government services, entertainment websites, and tourism services;
  • Offers adapted to users’ interests – remembering passwords, language preferences (e.g., displaying search results in Romanian);
  • Retaining child protection filters regarding Internet content (e.g., „family mode” options, „safe search” functions);
  • Measurement, optimization, and analytics features – such as confirming a certain level of traffic on a website, the type of content viewed, and how a user arrives on a website (e.g., through search engines, directly, from other websites, etc.). Website owners run these analyses to improve their websites for the benefit of users.

Security and privacy issues

Cookies are NOT viruses! They use plain text formats. They are not made up of code segments, so they cannot be executed or run automatically. Consequently, they cannot replicate or replicate on other networks to run or replicate again. Since they cannot perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses. However, cookies can be used for negative purposes. Because they store information about users’ preferences and browsing history, both on a particular website and across other websites, cookies can be used as a form of spyware. Many anti-spyware products are aware of this and constantly flag cookies for deletion during anti-virus/anti-spyware deletion/scanning procedures. Generally, browsers have built-in privacy settings that provide different levels of cookie acceptance, validity periods, and automatic deletion after the user has visited a particular site.

Other security issues related to cookies

Because identity protection is highly valuable and represents the right of every Internet user, it is advisable to know what potential problems cookies can create.

Since information is constantly being transmitted in both directions between the browser and the website, if an attacker or unauthorized person intervenes during the data transmission, the information contained in the cookie can 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 web servers. If a website does not require 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 for users to be cautious 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 websites, including the largest ones, use cookies, they are almost unavoidable. Disabling cookies will not allow users to access the most popular and widely used sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Gmail, Yahoo, and others.

Here are some tips that can ensure you navigate worry-free but with the help of cookies:

  • Customize your browser settings regarding cookies to reflect a comfortable level of security for you.
  • If you are not bothered by cookies and are the only person using the computer, you can set longer expiration periods for storing your browsing history and personal access data.
  • If you share access to the computer, you can consider setting the browser to delete individual browsing data each time you close the browser. This is a way to access websites that place cookies and, at the same time, delete any visit information when closing the browsing session.
  • Install and constantly update anti-spyware applications. Many spyware detection and prevention applications include detection of website attacks. This prevents the browser from accessing websites that might exploit browser vulnerabilities or download dangerous software.
  • Ensure that your browser is always up to date. Many cookie-based attacks are carried out by exploiting the weaknesses of old browser versions.

Cookies are everywhere, and they 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 ensure you can confidently navigate the Internet.