Cookies/IP addresses

Cookies are pieces of information that your web browser transfers to your computer’s hard drive for record keeping purposes. Cookies can make the web more useful by storing information about your preferences on a particular site, thus enabling web site owners to provide more useful features for their users. The technology used in the Abbey Care website does not currently use cookies, but we reserve the right to introduce their use without notice. Most browsers are initially set to accept cookies, but if you prefer, you can set your browser to refuse cookies. However, if you choose to do so you might impair your ability to use certain site functionality.

Abbey Care does not currently log user IP addresses (the location of your computer on the internet) but we reserve the right to for systems administration and trouble-shooting purposes. We do not log IP addresses to track a user’s session, nor do we link IP addresses to anything personally identifiable. Your browser will also inform us of the type of computer or operating system being used by you.

The table below shows how cookie information could be displayed on your website privacy page:

First Party Cookies

Cookie	Name	Purpose	More Information
Google Analytics	__utma __utmb __utmc __utmz	These cookies are used to collect information to improve visitors’ experience to our website.  Via Google we collect info anonymously about how visitors use our website.	Disallowing these cookies inhibits us from analysing the number of visitors and trends.Click here for more information on Google Analytics and the Cookies it uses.

 

How we use cookies

The cookie (or message) asks permission to be placed on your computer’s hard drive in a small text format. If you agree to this the message or file is then added to your hard drive. It can help to analyse web traffic, to identify a user or retain login information when you are revisting a website. Cookies therefore can be very useful, they can respond to previously used web applications. Enabling the web application to mould its operations to your needs; likes or dislikes by tracking the information about your preferences.

‘Traffic log cookies’ can identify which web pages are being used. A good tool for analysing webpage traffic data which ultimately improves our website because it moulds it to customer needs.  This information is only used to gather information for statistical analysis after which the data is removed from the system.

In the main, cookies do help to provide a better website. We can monitor pages customers find useful and those which they do not. However, be assured that the cookie does not allow any access to your computer or divulge any information about you, other than the data you choose to share with us.

You do have a choice. It is perfectly acceptable to accept or decline cookie use. You can amend your browser setting to decline but bearing in mind that this may stop you from getting the most out of a website.