1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your computer, smartphone, or tablet when you visit websites. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently, remember your preferences, and provide anonymous reporting data to website owners.
2. Categories of Cookies We Use
ProstaLife UK maintains a minimal cookie footprint. We classify cookies into two categories:
A. Strictly Necessary Cookies (Essential)
These cookies are vital for the core functionality and security of the website. Under Regulation 6(4) of PECR, strictly necessary cookies do not require prior consent because the service cannot function properly without them. Examples include:
- Cookie Consent State: Storing your choice (`accepted` or `declined`) so the banner does not repeatedly re-appear.
- Load Balancing & Security: Ensuring web requests are routed evenly across secure server nodes and guarding against automated Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks.
B. Anonymous Performance & Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our educational guides (e.g. which articles are most read, page load speeds). All analytical data is aggregated and anonymized; no personal identification or IP addresses are linked to individual reading profiles.
3. Specific Cookies Deployed
| Cookie Name | Category | Duration | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| prostalife_cookie_consent | Essential | 12 Months | Stores user preference for the cookie notice banner. |
| __cf_bm | Essential (Security) | 30 Minutes | Cloudflare bot management to detect malicious automated traffic. |
| _pk_anon_id | Analytics | 6 Months | Anonymized visitor frequency to evaluate reader interest. |
4. How to Manage and Disable Cookies
You have complete control over cookies on your devices. You can choose to accept or decline cookies via our banner, or manage cookie settings directly within your web browser:
- Google Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data.
- Apple Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Block all cookies.
- Mozilla Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Enhanced Tracking Protection.
- Microsoft Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Manage cookies.
Please note that blocking essential cookies may affect the visual layout and interactivity of the website.
5. Inquiries Regarding Cookies
If you have questions regarding our use of cookies or tracking mechanisms, please email our data governance officer at [email protected].