What is a cookie?
Cookies are small text files which are sent to your device (usually to the browser) when you visit a website. The device memorizes the cookies received to send them back to the originating website on each future visit. While visiting a website, the device you are using might also receive cookies originating from other websites and webservers (commonly known as "third parties") because such websites and webservers include elements (e.g. pictures, maps, sounds, links to pages on other domains) that are included in the website you are visiting.
According to the purpose for which the data are processed, cookies are classified in "technical" cookies and "behavioral profiling" cookies.
- Technical cookies are used only to "transmit a communication via an electronic communication network, or just to allow a service provider to provide the service requested by the subscriber or the end-user" (art. 122, paragraph 1 of the Italian Personal Data Protection Code). Such cookies are not used for other purposes and are normally installed directly by the website owner or administrator. To technical cookies belong:
- "navigation" (or "session" cookies), that enable the normal use of the website (e.g. they allow the user to complete a purchase or to authenticate and access reserved areas);
- "analytics" cookies, that belong to technical cookies in the case they are used directly by the website administrator to gather group data on the numbers of visitors the website has and on how such visitors move in the website;
- "functionality" cookies, allowing the user to surf the web according to a series of selected criteria (e.g. language, purchased products) and providing him a better service.
The installation of such cookies does not need the preventive authorization of the user, who, nevertheless, must be informed according to art. 13 of the Italian Personal Data Protection Code. The information modality about “technical” cookies use is up to the website administrator.
- “Behavioral profiling” cookies are aimed at creating a profile of the user to send him marketing messages according to the preferences he shows when surfing the web. Both the European and Italian laws state that the user must be informed when such cookies are used, for him to give his expressed consent. Behavioral profiling cookies are referred to in art. 122 of the Italian Personal Data Protection Code: “storing information about a subscriber’s or user’s computer or accessing already stored information is allowed only if the subscriber or user is fully informed according to art. 13 paragraph 3 and gives his expressed consent” (art. 122, paragraph 1 of the Italian Personal Data Protection Code).
According to their time duration, cookies are classified in “session” cookies and “persistent” cookies.
- "Session" cookies are temporary cookies disappearing from the computer when the user leaves the visited website or closes the browser. They are usually stored in the cache memory of the computer.
- "Persistent" cookies stay in the user's computer even after the browser is closed and until they expire or the user cancels them. The expiry date is established by the website using the cookies and the aim of such cookies is to draw the user's habits for future visits: the website will read the stored information on the user and adapt itself to his preferences.
According to their ownership, cookies are classified in “party” cookies and “third party” cookies:
- “Party” cookies are sent by the administrator of the website that the user is visiting.
- “Third party” cookies are sent through the website the user is visiting by a third party (not by the administrator of the website that the user is visiting). Such cookies are not controlled by the website administrator. To obtain further information on third party cookies, refer to their information policy pages.
What cookies do we use on our website?
On our website, we use party and third-party technical cookies. The chart below shows the cookies we use, their features and purposes..
Cookie propri
| Cookie name | Type | Description and purpose | Duration |
| authcookie | technical | Used to store user's choice about cookies use authorization | 1 year |
Third party cookies
On our website, we use Google Analytics, a web analysis service provided by Google, Inc. (“Google”).
Google Analytics uses “cookies”, namely text files registered in your computer, to allow the website to analyze how visitors use the website. The information originating from the cookies and providing data on how visitors use the website (including user’s anonymous IP address) will be sent to Google’s server located in the U.S. to be stored. Google will use this information to analyze how the visitor moves in the website, to draw reports on the website activities and send them to the website owners and, finally, to provide other services about the website and internet use. Google may also transfer such information to third parties, if required by the law or in case these third parties handle this information on behalf of Google. Google will not link the user’s IP address to any other data Google has. The user can deny his consent to cookies use by selecting the appropriate setting on the browser, but this might affect the correct website functioning.
By using this website, you agree to the treatment of your personal data by Google for the purposes indicated above.
By downloading and installing this browser plugin, you can prevent Google from detecting a cookie originating by and connected to your use of this website (including your IP address) and from using the information such cookie may give: http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=en
This website also uses third-party cookies: DoubleClick (Advertising category), Facebook Social Graph (Social Media category).
| Cookie name | Third party | Description and purpose | Duration |
| _ga | Used to differentiate users | 2 years | |
| __utma | Used to distinguish users and sessions. The cookie is created when the javascript library executes and the cookie __utma doesn't exist. The cookie is updated every time data is sent to Google Analytics. | 2 years | |
| __utmt | Used to throttle request rate. | 10 minutes | |
| __utmb | Used to determine new sessions/visits. The cookie is created when the javascript library executes and the cookie __utmb doen't exist. The cookie is updated every time data is sent to Google Analytics. | 30 minutes | |
| __utmc | Not used in ga.js. Set for interoperability with urchin.js. Historically, this cookie operated in conjunction with the __utmb cookie to determine whether the user was in a new session/visit. | End of browser session | |
| __utmz | Stores the traffic source or campaign that explains how the user reached the site. The cookie is created when the javascript library executes and is updated every time data is sent to Google Analytics. | 6 months | |
| __utmv | Used to store custom data. This cookie is created when a developer uses the _setCustomVar method. | 2 years |
How can you manage cookies on your PC or Mac?
Each browser allows you to limit cookies or deny your consent to their use.
For more information on cookies management, please follow the instructions provided by your browser:
Google Chrome
https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647?hl
Fiefox
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cookies-information-websites-store-on-your-computer
Internet Explorer
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/how-to-manage-cookies-in-internet-explorer-9
