What are cookies and how do they work?

Cookies are small files that are sent to and stored in your computer by the websites you visit. Cookies are stored in your browser's file directory. Next time you visit the site, your browser will read the cookie and relay the information back to the website or element that originally set the cookie.

Cookies are used by almost all major websites. Without cookies, it would be very difficult for a website to allow a visitor to add items to a shopping basket or to remember the user's preferences or registration details for a future visit. Websites use cookies because they save time and make the browsing experience more efficient and enjoyable.

Why do we use cookies? 

Topdeal uses cookies to offer you a better user experience, and we may also include elements that set cookies on behalf of a third party - for example a "Like" button from Facebook or a "Tweet" button from Twitter. Cookies don’t share any personal information with us; they are just a way for us to remember who you are.

We use the following types of cookie:

• Strictly necessary cookies: These cookies are essential for the operation of our website. They include, for example, cookies that allow you to login to your account.
• Functionality cookies: These are cookies that help improve your experience on Top Deal. They allow us, for example, to remember personal preferences or to work out how many new posts there have been since your last visit.
• Analytical / performance cookies: These cookies help us understand how people use Topdeal. They allow us, for example, to improve the customer experience, to test new designs, add new features and monitor errors.
• Targeting cookies: These cookies are used so that we can advertise Top Deal and it's services on other platforms (e.g. Google, Facebook)
• Third party cookies: These cookies are used to provide integrations with Social Networks. They allow us, for example, to login with Facebook, Google or to show an embedded youtube video.

Below is a more detailed list of some of the cookies we use and the reasons why:

• Session (ldSession): This cookie is used so we can know where your current session on Top Deal began (e.g. that you came from our Facebook page, or were recommended by another member).
• Authentication(token, user, sessionId): We use these cookies to handle user login, for security and to prevent abuse or breach of our terms and conditions.
• Google Analytics(_ga, _gid, _gat*): These cookies are used to collect information about how visitors use our website. The cookies collect information in a way that does not directly identify anyone, including the number of visitors to the website, where visitors have come to the website from and the pages they visited. Read Google’s overview of privacy and safeguarding data.
• Facebook(various cookies from Facebook.com) We use Facebook as an optional way to join/login to Top Deal, as well as providing share and like buttons on the website.

Cookie duration

All of the cookies set by us will automatically expire within 13 months of your last visit to our website or app.

How can I manage cookies?

You can review the options available to manage cookies in your browser. The browser can be used to manage cookies relating to basic functions, site improvement, personalization and advertising. Different browsers use different ways to disable cookies, but they are usually found under a Tools or Options menu. You can also consult the browser's help menu. In addition to cookie management, browsers usually let you control files similar to cookies. Please note that if you disable all cookies you may not be able to access all or parts of our (or other) websites. You may continue to see advertising on other websites.

More about cookies

If you want to find out more about cookies or if you want to know how to delete or control the cookies that are stored on your computer, you can visit AboutCookies.org.