Cookies

A cookie is a very small piece of information that tells a web site you have been there before.

Cookies are stored on your computer's hard drive, taking up around 100 bytes of disk space. Cookies are basically like numbered tickets. They let our web site recognise you as a previous visitor. Sometimes, we can write extra info on the ticket, such as when you came, or who you are. Usually though, they just act as a reference, so the site doesn't confuse you with another visitor or someone coming for the first time. Cookies can only be read by the web site which wrote them.

We use cookies in two main ways:

Session cookies

Cookies help us to make the WBS web site quicker by storing information for the duration of your visit, such as information about your browser. If you sign-in to use services, book events or buy online, session cookies also make sure that we do not forget who you are, halfway through!

These session cookies last as long as you stay on our site, and for up to 20 minutes after you leave, in case you return soon after. Usually, they are not saved on your hard disk, and are thrown away when you close your browser.

Persistent cookies

We also use cookies to remember your preferences between visits, and your sign-in details for private areas of the site. Cookies can also help us to understand how visitors (like you) use our site, so we can focus our efforts on what is important to you.

WBS does not use cookies to develop a marketing profile of you as an individual. We track how you as an anonymous visitor use our web site, so that we can develop the site to be better and easier for you to use in future.

If you want to know more about how we use information that is in any way personally identifiable, please read our privacy policy.

Cookie questions & answers

Do I have to allow WBS to set a cookie?

Much of the WBS web site can be accessed with cookies disabled. It will work more slowly, as it looks for saved information. However your visit will be significantly enhanced if cookies are enabled. As time goes on, more and more pages on our site will have the capability to be personalised, which will need you to allow WBS cookies.

How do I set my cookie preferences?

You can set your browser to notify you when you receive a cookie, giving you the chance to decide whether to accept it. More generally, you'll be able to make a standard setting on how to handle cookies by editing your web browser 'Preferences' or 'Options'. Usually, it's under a privacy heading. Please see the help for your own browser for more information.

Are cookies dangerous?

No. A cookie is a simple piece of text. It is not a program, or a plug-in. It cannot be used as a virus, and it cannot access your hard drive. Your browser (not a programmer) can save cookie values to your hard disk if it needs to, but that is the limit of the effect on your system.

What exactly do you do with my information?

WBS has a clear public privacy policy, which explains all aspects of how we use data.

How can I find out more information about cookies?

If you want to understand more about cookies, there is a clear and neutral article at (Opens in a new window)How Stuff Works.

What cookies have you stored?

This WBS web site has retrieved the following cookies from your browser:

CFID
6649206
CFTOKEN
57959721
JSESSIONID
9230c95af1c118c23bec16138444d5d5c2b6

CFID, CFTOKEN and JSESSIONID cookies are session cookies used internally by our web server.

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