What are internet cookies?
Internet cookies (or “web cookies”, “cookies”, etc.) are small files of text that a webserver places on a hard disk in order to recognize the browser on return visits. Cookie use is common and a majority of internet websites rely on it for functionality and enhancement of the browsing experience. Cookies serve a variety of purposes and can be used to keep track of what information has already been displayed to you, making it unnecessary to re-navigate the entire website when you return. Cookies can also be used to remember layout preferences, add security features, and store session information for your benefit (e.g. keeping track of the items place in your shopping cart with an online retailer), in addition to performing many other useful functions.
Cookies can generally be broken down into the following four (4) categories:
- Strictly Necessary Cookies
- Performance (statistics) Cookies
- Functionality (preference) Cookies
- Marketing Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookies are text files that are required for a website to function properly. Websites use these cookies to add features and allow users to navigate a site or browse its content in unimpeded fashion. Turning off or limiting the use of these cookies can adversely affect the performance or appearance of a website.
Performance Cookies provide an analytical toolset for the website owner that can be used to gather statistics about the how the site is navigated, count the number of visits and/or unique visitors, and record geographic information about visitors so that the website can be optimized based on how it’s being used.
Functionality Cookies are used to store information related to user-selected browsing preferences. These files can maintain your preferred language and currency, the number of results that are displayed per page as you search and browse an inventory, and keep track of any preferred layout options you might have selected (e.g. font size.)
Marketing Cookies are cookies that are used to track a user’s web behavior so that targeted advertising content can be automatically delivered by an internet ad-serving agency (e.g. Google®’s DoubleClick® service.) This type of cookie allows publishers and third party advertisers to provide you with more relevant and engaging advertising content based your perceived browsing interests.
How do I disable cookies on my browser or mobile device?
This section provides browser-specific information on the ways you can disable internet cookies. CMC does not own or maintain the websites that are linked in this section, nor any of the content contained therein. Please note that the following information may be subject to change without notice.
Internet Explorer® 11
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/internet-explorer/delete-manage-cookies#ie=ie-11
Microsoft provides the following information on how to remove cookies: Click the gear icon (“Tools”) and select “Internet Options”. Under the “General” tab, select “Delete…” under “Browsing History”, then check “Cookies and website data” and press “Delete”.
Google Chrome® – (Computer, Android phone, iDevice)
https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647?hl=en
Google provides the following information on how to remove cookies: Click the “Customize and Control Google Chrome” and hover the cursor over “More Tools.” Click on “Clear browsing data…,” then check “Cookies and other site and plugin data” and press the “Clear browsing data” button.
Firefox®
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/delete-cookies-remove-info-websites-stored
Mozilla provides the following information on how to remove cookies: Proceed to “Tools,” then “Options.” Click on “Privacy” followed by “Show cookies.” Next, click “Remove all cookies.” To remove a specific cookie: select a cookie you want to remove, then press “Remove cookie.”
Safari® – (Mac, MacBook, iPod, iPhone, iPad)
https://support.apple.com/kb/PH21411?locale=en_US
Apple provides the following information on how to block cookies: In Safari, go to “Preferences,” then click on “Privacy.” Under the “Cookies and website data” option, change the value to “Always Block.”
Microsoft Edge®
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/edge-privacy-faq
Microsoft provides the following information on how to block cookies: First, open Edge. Click the three dots (“More actions”) button and select “Settings.” Go to “View Advanced Settings” and click the dropdown menu next to the “Cookies” field. Select “Block All Cookies.”
Opera™
http://www.opera.com/help/tutorials/security/privacy/
Opera provides the following information on how to block cookies: Click on “Tools” and scroll down to “Preferences.” Under the “Advanced” tab, click on “Cookies” and highlight “Never accept cookies.”
SeaMonkey®
The SeaMonkey® project provides the following information on removing cookies: To clear all cookies: proceed to “Tools,” then “Clear Private Data.” Check “Cookies” and click “Clear Private Data Now.” To remove a specific cookie: proceed to “Tools,” then “Cookie Manager,” and finally, “Manage Stored Cookies.” After selecting the domain name on the left, and selecting the cookie name on the right, click on the “Remove” button.
Android® – (see “Google Chrome” above)
http://androidtipszone.blogspot.com/2013/08/how-to-enabledisable-cookies-on-droid.html
AndroidTipZone provides the following information on how to remove cookies: Open the browser on your phone and push the “Menu” button, then select “Settings.” Proceed to the section titled “Privacy settings” and select “Clear all cookie data.”
iPod® Touch – (see “Safari” above)
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201265
Apple provides the following information on how to block cookies: Click “Settings,” then scroll down to select “Safari.” Under “Privacy,” click next to “Accept Cookies,” and then change the value to “Never.”
iPhone® – (see “Safari” above)
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201265
Apple provides the following information on how to block cookies: Click “Settings,” then scroll down to select “Safari.” Under “Privacy & Security,” click next to “Block Cookies,” and then change the value to “Always Block.”
iPad® – (see “Safari” above)
http://ipad.about.com/od/ipad_basics/ss/How-To-Clear-Cookies-And-Web-History-In-The-iPad-Safari-Browser.htm
AboutTech provides the following information on how to remove cookies: Click the icon that looks like gears turning (“Settings”) then scroll down to select “Safari.” Next, press the “Clear History and Website Data,” followed by “Clear” to confirm that you want to delete the cookies.
BlackBerry®
How to clear your browsing history using BlackBerry 10
Inside BlackBerry Help Blog provides the following on how to block cookies: Open the Web Browser and tap the “Menu” icon. Click “Settings,” then “Privacy and Security.” Next to “Accept Cookies,” tap the “Off” switch.
The effective date of this Privacy Notice is May 23, 2018.