Cookies

1. What are cookies?

  • Cookies are widely used tiny pieces of software (files) that are installed on a computer or mobile device when an individual visits a website.
  • Windows Explorer, which is one of the main internet browsers, will usually store these files in a folder called ‘cookies’ in ‘documents and permissions’ on computers running Microsoft Windows.
  • Cookies allow websites to recognise that a user on an individual computer has previously visited the site. The cookies save some information about that user for when they access the site again in the future.

By using and browsing the Bath Astronomers website, you consent to cookies being used. If you do not consent, you must turn off cookies or refrain from using the site.

Most browsers allow you to turn off cookies. To do this, look at the ‘help’ menu on your browser. Switching off cookies may restrict your use of the website and/or delay or affect the way in which it operates.

 

2. What types of cookies are there?

Broadly, there are 4 types of cookie:

  • Strictly necessary cookies. These are cookies that are essential to make a website work and enable features that users have specifically asked for. These types of cookies are commonly used with shopping baskets or e-billing. Without use of cookies, these features of the website could not operate.
  • Performance cookies. These cookies collect anonymous information about users for the purpose of assessing the performance of a website. Common uses include well-known web analytics tools such as ‘Google Analytics’.
  • Functionality cookies. These are cookies that automatically remember choices that users have previously made in order to improve their experience next time they visit a website. For example, where users select their preferred settings and layout.
  • Targeting or Advertising cookies. These cookies are similar to performance cookies, in that they collect information about users’ behaviour. However, this information is used at individual user level to advertise products and services to users on the basis of the behavioural information collected.

 

3. What cookies does the Bath Astronomers website use?

Type Cookie Name Purpose
Performance cookies _ga A unique identifier for Google Analytics and is used to distinguish users and has an expiration of 2 years
Performance cookies _gat This Google Analytics is used to limit the number of requests that are made to doubleclick.net
Performance cookies _gid  A unique identifier for Google Analytics and is used to distinguish users and has an expiration of 24 hours.
Functionality cookies wfvt_nnnnnnnnnn These contain information about your general geographic location (used to remember your time zone, for example). These are known as session cookies and are deleted when you leave the site
Functionality cookies wordfence_verifiedHuman Cookie set by the Wordfence Security WordPress plugin to protect the site against malicious attacks
Functionality cookies euCookiesAcc Cookie set by the acceptance of Cookie Statement
Functionality cookies clearoutside_clearoutside_session  Cookie set by ClearOutside to show forecast
Functionality cookies clearoutside_csrf_cookie  Cookie set by ClearOutside to show forecast