A “cookie” is a small piece of information (token) sent by a Web server and stored on a user’s system (hard drive) so it can later be read back from that system. Using cookies is a convenient technique for having the browser remember some specific information. Cookies may be categorized as “session” or “persistent” cookies. “Session” cookies are temporary cookies that are used to maintain context or “state” between otherwise stateless Web transactions (e.g., to maintain a “shopping basket” of goods selected during a single logical session at a site) and that must be deleted at the end of the web session in which they are created. “Persistent” cookies remain over time and can be used for a variety of purposes, including to track a user’s access over time and across Websites, or to establish user preferences.
This Website does not use persistent cookies, i.e., tokens that pass information back and forth from your machine to the server and remain after you close your browser. This Website does use session cookies, i.e., tokens that remain active only until you close your browser, in order to (make the site easier for you to use). No database of information obtained from these cookies is kept and when you close your browser, the cookie is deleted from your computer. This Website uses cookies to save you time in filling out forms, to maintain a relationship between the image and the correct link.
You can chose not to accept these cookies and still use the site, but (you may need to enter the same information repeatedly and clicking on the banners will not take you to the correct page). The help information in your browser software should provide you with instruction on how to disable cookies.