What are cookies and how are they used?

Cookies are small useful text files that are stored on your computer when you visit some websites. They are used to remember things that web pages can't, for example cookies can be used to remember the information you've entered across different pages in tools in order to generate a result or to remember your font preferences across web pages. Cookies can't harm your computer and we don't store sensitive information about visitors. Some cookies are only stored until you close your browser, while others may last for several weeks or more.

How does BootsWebMD use cookies?

BootsWebMD has a variety of useful features and tools, and to make best use of them, your computer, tablet or mobile device will need to accept cookies. We can only provide you with certain features by using cookies, for example, to provide results in our Symptom Checker and the BMI Calculator tools, it's necessary to use cookies to remember the information you enter. If you have chosen to disable cookies you will still be able to browse the website and use it to read content but some functions may be unavailable, such as your font size preferences.

We have partnerships with organisations that may also set cookies as you use BootsWebMD. These are normally used to help keep advertising relevant and to ensure marketing tools work correctly. The funding BootsWebMD obtains from advertising and sponsors enables us to create relevant, accurate and medically reviewed content.

In the coming months we will be providing you with extra control, by giving you the option to consent to cookies when you visit BootsWebMD. BootsWebMD uses cookies in a number of ways:

1. Necessary website functionality: These cookies are essential in order to enable you to move around the website and use its features. Without these cookies, certain services you have asked for, cannot be provided.
2. Website performance and statistics: These cookies collect information about how visitors use our website, for instance which pages visitors go to most often, and if they get error messages from web pages. These cookies don't collect information that identifies you. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. It is only used to improve how our website works.
3. Important website functionality: These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make and provide enhanced, more personal features. These cookies can also be used to remember changes you have made to text size, fonts and other parts of web pages that you can customise. They may also be used to provide services you have asked for such as watching a video. The information these cookies collect is anonymous and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites.
4. Functionality Cookies: These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make (such as your user name, language or the region you are in) and provide enhanced, more personal features. These cookies can also be used to remember changes you have made to text size, fonts and other parts of web pages that you can customise. They may also be used to provide services you have asked for such as watching a video. The information these cookies collect is anonymous and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites.
5. Recommended marketing functionality: These cookies are used to deliver adverts more relevant to you and your interests. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement as well as help measure the effectiveness of the advertising campaign. They remember that you have visited a website and this information is shared with other organisations such as advertisers. These cookies collect information about your browsing habits in order to make advertising relevant to you and your interests. For more information about third party cookies, see Third party cookies.

For a detailed list of cookies that may be stored on your computer when visiting BootsWebMD, refer to What cookies are used on BootsWebMD?

Third party cookies

Third party cookies are cookies that are set by someone other than us. We allow certain approved third parties to set cookies on our website. We try to limit these cookies wherever possible and although we have strict controls in place, we do not directly control the setting of these cookies. Unless stated otherwise, the information collected by third party cookies on our website is anonymous.

We are working on further enhancements relating to these cookies and hope to bring you even greater transparency and choice as soon as possible.

For a list of third party cookies that may appear when visiting BootsWebMD, refer to What cookies are used on BootsWebMD?.

For more information about these cookies and how to manage them, we suggest that you check the third party websites.

How do I change my cookie settings?

By default, cookies should be enabled on your computer or device.If not, your experience on BootsWebMD will be limited to browsing and viewing content. You will not be able to use some of our helpful tools or site personalisation features. If you'd prefer to restrict, block or delete cookies from BootsWebMD or any other website, you can use your internet browser to do this. Each browser is different, so check the "help" menu on your browser to learn how to change your cookies preferences, or visit www.allaboutcookies.org/manage-cookies. In the coming months we'll be providing tools to help give you extra control of the cookies used on our website.

Flash cookies (or Local shared objects)

BootsWebMD uses Adobe Flash Player to deliver video content and interactive product images. Flash cookies are stored on your device in a similar way to usual cookies, but they're managed differently by your browser. If you wish to disable or delete Flash cookies, see Adobe Flash Player security settings. If you disable Flash cookies for BootsWebMD you may be unable to view certain types of information and content on the site, such as videos and other interactive images.

Further information about cookies

To find out more about cookies, how they work and how to manage them, visit www.allaboutcookies.org.