What are cookies?

Cookies are files that can be downloaded to your computer through web pages. They are tools that play an essential role in the provision of numerous information society services. Among others, they allow a website to store and retrieve information about the browsing habits of a user or their equipment and, depending on the information obtained, they can be used to recognize the user and improve the service offered.

Types of cookies

Depending on who is the entity that manages the domain from which the cookies are sent and processes the data obtained, two types can be distinguished:

  • Own cookies: Those that are sent to the user’s terminal equipment from a computer or domain managed by the publisher itself and from which the service requested by the user is provided.
  • Third-party cookies: Those that are sent to the user’s terminal equipment from a computer or domain that is not managed by the publisher, but by another entity that processes the data obtained through cookies.

In the event that the cookies are installed from a computer or domain managed by the editor itself but the information collected through them is managed by a third party, they cannot be considered as own cookies.

There is also a second classification according to the period of time they remain stored in the client’s browser, which may be:

  • Session cookies: Designed to collect and store data while the user accesses a web page. They are usually used to store information that is only interesting to keep for the provision of the service requested by the user on a single occasion (e.g. a list of products purchased).
  • Persistent cookies: The data continues to be stored in the terminal and can be accessed and processed for a period defined by the person responsible for the cookie, which can range from a few minutes to several years.

Por último, existe otra clasificación con seis tipos de cookies según la finalidad para la que se traten los datos obtenidos:

  • Technical cookies: Those that allow the user to navigate through a web page, platform or application and use the different options or services that exist therein, such as, for example, controlling traffic and data communication, identifying the session, accessing restricted access parts, remembering the elements that make up an order, carrying out the purchase process of an order, making a request for registration or participation in an event, using security elements during navigation, storing content for the dissemination of videos or sound or share content through social networks.
  • Personalization cookies: They allow the user to access the service with some predefined general characteristics based on a series of criteria on the user’s terminal, such as the language, the type of browser through which the service is accessed, the regional configuration from which the service is accessed, etc.
  • Analysis cookies: They allow the person responsible for them to monitor and analyze the behavior of the users of the websites to which they are linked. The information collected through this type of cookies is used to measure the activity of the websites, applications or platforms and to prepare navigation profiles of the users of said sites, applications and platforms, in order to introduce improvements based on the analysis of the usage data made by the users of the service.
  • Advertising cookies: They allow the management, in the most efficient way possible, of advertising spaces.
  • Behavioral advertising cookies: They store information on user behavior obtained through continuous observation of their browsing habits, which allows the development of a specific profile to display advertising based on it.
  • Cookies from external social networks: They are used so that visitors can interact with the content of different social platforms (facebook, youtube, twitter, linkedIn, etc.) and are generated only for the users of said social networks. The conditions of use of these cookies and the information collected are regulated by the privacy policy of the corresponding social platform.

Deactivation and deletion of cookies

You have the option to allow, block or delete cookies installed on your computer by configuring the options of the browser installed on your computer. By disabling cookies, some of the available services may no longer be operational. The way to disable cookies is different for each browser, but it can usually be done from the Tools or Options menu. You can also consult the browser’s Help menu where you can find instructions. The user may at any time choose which cookies they want to work on this website.

You can allow, block or delete cookies installed on your computer by configuring the options of the browser installed on your computer:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge: http://windows.microsoft.com/es-es/windows-vista/Block-or-allow-cookies
  • Mozilla Firefox: http://support.mozilla.org/es/kb/impedir-que-los-sitios-web-guarden-sus-preference
  • Chrome: https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/61416?hl=es
  • Safari: http://safari.helpmax.net/es/privacidad-y-security/como-gestionar-las-cookies/
  • Opera: http://help.opera.com/Linux/10.60/es-ES/cookies.html

In addition, you can also manage the cookie store in your browser through tools such as the following:

  • Ghostery: www.ghostery.com
  • Your Online Choices: www.youronlinechoices.com/es/

Cookies used at https://catmech.upc.edu/

The cookies that are being used on this portal are identified below, as well as their type and function:

  • _GRECAPTCHA
    • Duration: 6 months
    • Description: Google reCAPTCHA sets a necessary cookie (_GRECAPTCHA) when it runs in order to provide its risk analysis.
    • Type: Third
    • Purpose: Technical
  • _ga
    • Duration: 2 years
    • Description: Used to distinguish users. Generated by Google Analytics. Google stores the information collected by cookies on servers located in the United States, complying with European legislation regarding the protection of personal data and undertakes not to share it with third parties, except when the law requires it to do so or it is necessary for the operation of the system. Google does not associate your IP address with any other information it has. If you wish to obtain more information about the cookies used by Google Analytics, please access this address: https://developers.google.com/analytics/devguides/collection/analyticsjs/cookie-usage?hl=es&csw=1
    • Type: Third
    • Purpose: Analytical
  • YSC
    • Duration: When logged out
    • Description: On some pages of our Website we have embedded YouTube videos, it is a Google service. Its use implies the sending of this cookie in addition to the cookies that Google requires if you maintain an active session with your account, for the purpose of viewing the embedded videos, estimating the bandwidth and showing how many times it has been played.
    • Type: Third
    • Purpose: Social networks
  • VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE
    • Duration: 8 months
    • Description: On some pages of our Website we have embedded YouTube videos, it is a Google service. Its use implies the sending of this cookie in addition to the cookies that Google requires if you maintain an active session with your account, for the purpose of viewing the embedded videos, estimating the bandwidth and showing how many times it has been played.
    • Type: Third
    • Purpose: Social networks
  • __Secure-ENID
    • Duration: 1 year and 1 month
    • Description: These cookies are used to remember your preferences and other information.
    • Type: Third
    • Purpose: Analytical
  • BCE
    • Duration: 6 months
    • Description: This cookie is used to detect spam, fraud and abuse to ensure that advertisers are not mistakenly charged for fraudulent or invalid impressions or interactions with ads.
    • Type: Third
    • Purpose: Technical
  • CONSENT
    • Duration: 1 year and 1 month
    • Description: This cookie is used to store their consent preferences.
    • Type: Third
    • Purpose: Analytical
  • OTZ
    • Duration: 1 year
    • Description: This cookie identifies the user’s preferences and saves them, as well as other information from Google services.
    • Type: Third
    • Purpose: Analytical
  • SOCS
    • Duration: 1 year and 1 month
    • Description: It is responsible for storing the user’s cookie choices.
    • Type: Third
    • Purpose: Analytical

catmech.upc.edu displays information about its Cookies Policy at the bottom or top of any portal page with each login.

Given this information, it is possible to carry out the following actions:

  • Accept cookies: This notice will not be displayed again when accessing any page of the portal during this session.
  • Modify/personalize your settings: You can obtain more information about what cookies are, learn about the Cookie Policy at:  catmech.upc.edu/cookie-policy and modify your browser settings.