Cookie use
Some of the cookies we use are essential for parts of the site to operate and have already been set. We also use a google analytics script which uses cookies to track our website visitors. You may delete and block all cookies from this site but parts of the site may not work.
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.
Both websites and HTML emails may also contain other tracking technologies such as ‘web beacons’, or ‘pixels’. These are typically small transparent images that provide us with statistics for similar purposes as cookies. They are often used in conjunction with cookies, though they are not stored on your computer in the same way. If you disable cookies, the web beacons may still load, but their functionality will be restricted.
Common types of cookies are:
First-party cookies –These are placed on the user’s device directly by the website.
Third-party cookies – These are placed by a third-party, and they are commonly used for advertising and analytics.
Session cookies – This type of cookies expires once the user’s session on a website expires.
Persistent cookies – This type of cookies remain in the user’s system unless they delete it, or the site does. They usually have expiration dates coded in.
Strictly necessary cookies – They are often mandatory for a website to function smoothly. This type of cookies is essential for the users to use certain features of a website, such as remembering past activity in the site or holding items in the shopping cart.
There are two types of cookies set by WordPress.
1 User cookies – These are ‘strictly necessary’ cookies as WordPress will not be able to function without it. They are also session cookies as they expire once the user logs out or exits the page.
2 Comment cookies – These are not ‘strictly necessary’ cookies and are set when users leave a comment on a post. These can also be classified as persistent cookies.
WordPress Users Cookie
wordpress_[hash] is used to store the authentication details on login. The authentication details include the username and double hashed copy of the password. However, this usage of the cookie is limited to the admin console area, the backend dashboard of the website.
wordpress_logged_in_[hash] is used to indicate when you are logged in, and who you are. This cookie is maintained on the front-end of the website as well when logged in. Here [hash] represents the value that is obtained by applying a specific mathematical formula applied to the username and password. It is to ensure that the input values are safe, and no one can access these data using the cookies as it is difficult to ‘unhash’ the hashed data.
wp-settings-{time}-[UID] is used to customize the view of your admin interface and the front-end of the website. The value represented by [UID] is the individual user ID of the user as given to them in the users’ database table.
wordpress_test_cookie is used to check if the cookies are enabled on the browser to provide appropriate user experience to the users. This cookie is used on the front-end, even if you are not logged in.
Apart from these, WordPress also uses:
wp-saving-post it lets the admins restore data for a post that is currently being edited if a saved version exists.
wporg_logged_in, wporg_sec it checks if the current visitor is a logged-in WordPress user. The expiration period of this cookie is 14 days if the user has consented to let the site remember the login credentials. Else, it acts as a session cookie.
WordPress commenters cookies
WordPress also sets cookies on the devices of those who comment on the website. These cookies are used to remember the users so that the values are automatically filled in the corresponding fields. The user doesn’t have to enter their details every time they want to leave a comment. Below listed are the
comment_author_[hash] remembers the value entered into the comment form’s name field.
comment_author_email_[hash] remembers the value entered into the comment form’s email field.
comment_author_url_[hash] remembers the value entered into the comment form’s URL field.
The cookies set for the commenters are persistent in nature and remain in the system for 347 days. These are only activated if the visitors check the checkbox to save these details.