Cookie Policy

This policy applies to cookies and the websites operated by ALPHA PARTNER LTD., with its registered office at 24 Samokov Street, Sofia, hereinafter referred to as “WE”, and the domain alphapartner.bg, hereinafter referred to as the “WEBSITE”.

What are cookies?

A cookie is a text file containing letters and numbers that is stored on your computer, mobile device, or other equipment used to access the internet. A cookie is generated automatically and is completely “passive” (it does not contain software programs, viruses, or spyware and cannot access information stored on the user’s physical device).

What are cookies used for?

Cookies are used to make the user’s experience easier by storing information about their actions and purchases locally on their device, without this information being accessible to the owner of the website being visited.

Cookies provide users with a better browsing experience and help the WEBSITE offer services tailored to their needs, such as remembering online privacy preferences, shopping cart contents, and relevant advertising.

What types of cookies do we use?

We use two types of cookies: session cookies and persistent cookies.

Session cookies are temporary files that remain on the user’s device until the end of the browsing session or until the application (web browser) is closed.

Persistent cookies remain on the user’s device for the period specified by the cookies or until they are manually deleted by the user.

How does this website use cookies?

Visiting this website may result in cookies being created for the following purposes:

  • Website performance cookies

  • Website visitor analytics cookies

  • Geotargeting cookies

  • Registration cookies

Do cookies contain personal data?

Cookies themselves do not require personal information in order to be used and, in most cases, do not identify internet users personally.

Personal data collected through the use of cookies may only be processed to make the website easier for the user to use. Such data is encrypted in a way that prevents unauthorised persons from accessing it.

Deleting cookies

Web browsers generally allow cookies to be stored by default. These settings can be changed so that automatic cookie management is blocked by the browser or so that the user is notified whenever cookies are sent to their device.

Detailed information about the options and methods for managing cookies can be found in the settings of the relevant application or web browser. Restricting the use of cookies may affect some of the website’s functions.

You can delete cookies that have already been stored on your computer. For example:

  • In Internet Explorer (version 10), you must manually delete the cookie files. Instructions are available at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/278835.

  • In Firefox (version 24), you can delete cookies by clicking “Tools”, “Options”, and “Privacy”. Then select “Use custom settings for history” and click “Show Cookies”.

  • In Chrome (version 29), you can delete all cookies by opening the “Customise and control” menu and clicking “Settings”, “Show advanced settings”, and “Clear browsing data”. Select cookies and other website and plug-in data before clicking “Clear browsing data”.

Why are cookies important for the internet?

Cookies play a central role in the effective functioning of the internet by helping websites create a profile of each user’s preferences and interests. Refusing or disabling cookies may make certain websites impossible to use.

Refusing or disabling cookies does not mean that you will no longer receive online advertising. It means that the advertisements displayed will no longer be tailored to your preferences and interests based on your browsing behaviour.

Examples of important functions performed by cookies that do not require account authentication include:

  • Providing content and services tailored to the user’s preferences, including relevant product and service categories.

  • Providing offers tailored to the user’s preferences and remembering passwords.

  • Remembering parental control filters for online content, such as “family mode” and “safe search” functions.

  • Limiting the frequency with which advertisements are displayed to a particular website user.

  • Providing advertisements that may be of interest to the user.

  • Supporting analytics, measurement, and optimisation, including monitoring website traffic, identifying the types of content viewed, and determining how users reach the website, for example through search engines, direct visits, or other websites. Websites use such analyses to improve their services for the benefit of users.

Security and privacy

Cookies are NOT viruses!

Cookies use a plain-text format. They do not contain executable code and cannot run or execute themselves. Therefore, they cannot duplicate themselves or be copied to other networks in order to run or replicate. Because they cannot perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses.

However, cookies may still be used for malicious purposes. Since they store information about users’ preferences and browsing history, both on a particular website and across other websites, cookies may be used as a form of spyware.

Many anti-spyware applications recognise this risk and regularly identify cookies for removal during antivirus or anti-spyware scanning procedures.

Browsers generally have built-in privacy settings that provide different levels of cookie acceptance, validity periods, and automatic deletion after the user has visited a website.

Other security considerations related to cookies

Because the protection of personal data is extremely important and is a right of every internet user, users should be aware of the potential risks associated with cookies.

Cookies enable information to be exchanged continuously and in both directions between the browser and the website. If a hacker or another unauthorised person interferes while the data is being transmitted, the information contained in the cookies may be intercepted.

In rare cases, this may occur when the browser connects to the server through an unencrypted network, such as a wireless network that is not protected by a password.

Other types of cookie-based attacks may occur when cookies are incorrectly configured on the server. If a website does not require the browser to use encrypted channels only, hackers may exploit this vulnerability and trick browsers into transmitting information through unsecured channels.

Hackers may then use this information to gain unauthorised access to certain websites. It is therefore important to choose the most appropriate personal data protection settings.

Tips for safe and responsible browsing when using cookies

Due to their flexibility and the fact that most large and frequently visited websites use cookies, their use is almost unavoidable. Disabling cookies may prevent users from accessing widely used websites such as YouTube, Gmail, Yahoo, and others.

The following recommendations can help ensure a safer browsing experience while allowing the use of cookies:

  • Customise your browser’s cookie settings to establish an appropriate level of protection.

  • If you are comfortable with the use of cookies and are the only person using the computer, you may set longer expiration periods for stored browsing history and personal access data.

  • If you share access to your computer with another person, you may configure your browser to delete personal browsing data each time the browser is closed. This allows access to websites that use cookies while deleting browsing information at the end of each session.

  • Install and regularly update anti-spyware applications.

Many applications designed to detect and prevent spyware also include protection against website-based attacks. This may prevent the browser from accessing websites that could exploit browser vulnerabilities or download malicious software.

Make sure that your browser is always up to date.

Many cookie-based attacks exploit vulnerabilities in old or outdated versions of web browsers.

Cookies are widely used and cannot be completely avoided if you wish to access many of the best and largest local and international websites. By clearly understanding how cookies work and the benefits they provide, you can take the necessary security measures to browse the internet with confidence.

Disabling or refusing cookies may make some websites unusable or difficult to access and use. Refusing cookies does not mean that you will no longer receive or see online advertisements.

You can configure your browser so that cookies are no longer accepted, or you can allow cookies only from selected websites. However, if cookies are disabled, you may not be able to use certain features, such as posting comments.

All modern browsers allow users to change their cookie settings. These settings can usually be found under “Options” or “Preferences” in the browser menu. You may also use the links below or consult your browser’s “Help” section for further details: