Cookies

What are cookies?

Cookies are small pieces of data, stored in text files, that are stored on your computer or other device when websites are loaded in a browser. They are widely used to ‘remember’ you and your preferences, either for a single visit (through a ‘session cookie’) or for multiple repeat visits (using a ‘persistent cookie’). They ensure a consistent and efficient experience for visitors, and perform essential functions such as allowing users to register and remain logged in. Cookies may be set by the site that you are visiting (known as ‘first party cookies’), or by other websites who serve up content on that site (‘third party cookies’).

EU Cookie Law

The cookie eucookielaw will be set when you click the “Close and accept” button on the Privacy & Cookies banner. This will expire after 30 days.

Web application firewall

This site is protected by the Wordfence web application firewall (WAF). The WAF sets certain cookies to help secure the site:

wordfence_verifiedHuman

The above cookie is used by the Wordfence “Live Traffic” feature to distinguish between human and bot visitors. This will expire after 24 hours.

wfvt_(digits)

The above cookie is also used by the Wordfence “Live Traffic” feature and identifies new/repeat traffic. This will expire after 30 minutes.

Comments

Comments on this site are managed by a third party website, wordpress.com. This will set the following cookies, as a convenience, so that the visitor won’t need to re-type all their information again when they want to leave another comment. Three cookies are set for commenters:

  • comment_author_{HASH}
  • comment_author_email_{HASH}
  • comment_author_url_{HASH}

The commenter cookies are set to expire after 347 days. If you use your wordpress.com account to comment then this may set additional cookies.

Subscriptions

Subscriptions are also managed by wordpress.com:

  • jetpack_comments_subscribe_{HASH}
  • jetpack_blog_subscribe_{HASH}

These will also expire after 347 days.

Deleting or blocking cookies

See the following links for how to manage cookies in your browser: