Cookies

A cookie is a very small piece of information that tells a website you have been there before. Cookies are stored on your computer's hard drive, and are basically like numbered tickets. 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 website which wrote them.

Persistent cookies

Our webserver saves anonymous cookies which are essential for its operation. We also save anonymous cookies to help us to improve the visitor experience for you and many others who use our site. We use these cookies to track how individual, anonymous visitors use our website, so that we can develop the site to be better and easier for people to use in future.

We do not associate these anonymous cookies with personally identifiable information, or use cookies to develop a marketing profile of you as an individual.

We do save personally identifiable cookies on your hard disk if you choose, to enable registration and purchasing, to remember your sign-in details for private areas of the site, and to remember your preferences between visits.

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

Session cookies

Session cookies help us to make the WBS website 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.

Cookie questions & answers

Do I have to allow WBS to set a cookie?: Much of the WBS website 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. You can find instructions for many browsers here.
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 How Stuff Works.