What is a cookie?

Cookies are simple text files that a site saves to your computer or mobile device using your website browser. Only that server will be able to retrieve or read the contents of that cookie and each cookie is unique to your web browser. Cookies are either set by the website you are visiting, in which case they are referred to as ‘first-party cookies’, or are ‘third-party cookies’ set by other websites and services that run content on the page you are viewing. Most websites use cookies to improve their users’ experience.
 
For example, cookie-enabled websites don’t think you’re a new visitor every time you move to a new page on a site and therefore improve your user experience by letting you navigate between pages more quickly and easily. They also allow a website to remember you, and your browsing preferences, either for the duration of your visit using a ‘session cookie’ or for repeat visits using a ‘persistent cookie’ (explanations for all types of cookies can be found under ‘types of cookies’).

Our cookies policy

To make full use of the features on the ARC website, your computer or mobile device will need to accept cookies.
Don’t worry – we don’t use cookies to store sensitive information, such as your address or payment details. They simply allow us to provide you with personalised features to make your visit to our website as smooth and relevant to you as possible.
 
But some people dislike the idea of a website accessing and storing their data. And if that’s the case, you have the ability to accept or decline cookies, either by modifying the settings in your browser at any time or revoking your consent to cookies within the My Account section of our site as a logged in user, and selecting ‘Preferences’. The ‘help’ function within your browser should tell you how to disable cookies, as will the ‘enabling/disabling cookies’ page on this site. However, you may not be able to use all the interactive features of our site if the cookies are disabled, or consent is revoked.

Enabling/disabling cookies

There are two types of website users: those who would like their visit to be as easy, quick and relevant as possible, and who (knowingly or unknowingly) therefore sit firmly in the cookies supporter camp; and then there are those who are discomforted by the idea that ‘Big Brother’ is watching them and would rather lose some of the functions cookies enable to remain more anonymous.
 
Different browsers have different ways of allowing you to enable or delete cookies, or limit the kinds of cookies that can be placed on your computer. When choosing your browser (ie, Google Chrome or Safari), you may want to consider which best suits your privacy preferences.

To check out the settings in a browser, use the ‘help’ tab or look under ‘tools’ for settings like ‘options’ or ‘privacy’. From there, you may be able to delete cookies, or control when they can be placed.

​​​​​​​You are also able to revoke any consent given for cookies on our site by logging in to the ‘My Account’ section as a registered user and navigating to ‘Preferences’. From here you have the option to revoke your cookie setting. Once complete, click Save to update your preferences.

If you disable or revoke cookies you may limit your browsing experience. For example, you may need to enter information repeatedly, or you might not get personalised content or ads that are meaningful to you. However, most browsers’ settings will allow you to block third-party cookies without also disabling first-party cookies.