A cookie is a small piece of data stored on a computer by a website to be read again later by the same website. They can be used to store preferences and settings for individual visitors, keep usernames and passwords handy for a user, or to temporarily store data while browsing a site.

They can also be used to keep track of a web surfer`s movements around the internet, or to target advertising and marketing materials at surfers. As such, security conscious web surfers often use features available in their web browser to limit or prevent the setting of cookies.

How does GTP iCommerce use cookies?

While cookies can be used in ways that may infringe on security or privacy, the GTP iCommerce system's use of cookies is not a security issue. We do not use cookies for web site tracking or marketing, and keep use of cookies to a minimum. Your privacy and security are also assured for the following reasons:

1. Cookies can only be read by the web domain that sets them. This means that there is no way any computer except for the GTP iCommerce server can ever read the cookies set by GTP iCommerce. No other website or computer on the internet can ever gain access to data stored in GTP cookies.

 
2. Cookies can only store information you supply. Cookies cannot "read" any information off your computer. They are set by a computer elsewhere on the internet using information you choose to supply to that computer. For instance, a cookie cannot find out your email address or credit card number unless you specifically send that information to the computer in question. Enabling cookies will not give any person or computer access to any information stored on your computer unless you choose to supply it.

 
3. No personal data is ever stored in GTP Cookies. The GTP iCommerce online shopping system uses cookies to keep a record of the products placed in your shopping cart. The only data ever placed in these cookies is a list of products and their prices, so the system can know what the customer is ordering during the checkout process. The GTP iCommerce Member Login and Affiliate systems uses cookies to identify logged in members. The only data ever placed in these cookies are a username and password that identify the user to the GTP system, and are of no use for any other purpose.
   
   
   It is the stated policy of GTP iCommerce Pty. Ltd.
   that personaly identifiable details such as names,
   addresses or credit card numbers are never
   put into cookies.

 
4. GTP iCommerce uses only session cookies. There are two types of cookies, persistent and session (temporary) cookies. Persistent cookies remain on a computer until a pre-set date. Session cookies are erased as soon as the browser is closed, or the computer shut down.
   
   GTP iCommerce uses only session cookies. This means that at any time you can close your web browser or shut down your computer to permenantly erase all cookies set by GTP.

 

Why does GTP iCommerce need cookies enabled?

The GTP iCommerce system uses cookies to keep track of the items you choose to place in your shopping cart, and to identify you to the system if you are a logged in member. If you have your web browser set to reject cookies you will not be able to add products to your shopping cart, or gain access to member pricing or your member details. If you attempt to add items to your cart or to log in without cookies being activated the system may appear to complete the task successfully, but no information will be stored. You will not be logged in, and your cart will remain empty.

What about "Third Party" Cookies?

Third Party Cookies are cookies that are set by a website other than the one you're currently visiting. They are often used by advertisers and for site-tracking purposes, and hence the latest versions of the major web browsers allow for them to be disabled separately from "First Party" cookies (cookies set by the web site you're visiting).

Due to the way the GTP iCommerce system works, many browsers will recognise GTP cookies as Third Party Cookies. Thus to use the GTP system you may have to have Third Party Cookies enabled. As stated above, GTP iCommerce uses cookies only for keeping track of your purchases and identifying you to the system if you choose to log in, not for advertising or site-tracking purposes, so enabling third party cookies while shopping on GTP sites is safe and will not compromise your security.

How can I enable cookies?

This depends on the web browser you're using:

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6: Select "Internet Options" from the "Tools" menu. Click on the "Privacy" tab. Click on the "Advanced" button to open the cookie window. Check the "Override Automatic Cookie Handling" checkbox. Set the "First Party Cookies" and "Third Party Cookies" radio buttons to "Enable". Click OK to close the cookie window. Click OK to close the Internet Options window.

Netscape 6.1/6.2: Select "Preferences" from the "Edit" menu to open the Preferences window. Click the arrow next to "Privacy and Security" to open the sub-menu. Click "Cookies" on the sub menu. Set the radio buttons to "Enable Cookies for the originating website only". Click "OK" to close the Preferences menu.

Netscape 4.7: Select "Preferences" from the "Edit" menu to open the Preferences window. Click on "Advanced" in the side menu. Set the radio buttons to "Accept only cookies that get sent back to the originating server". Click "OK" to close the Preferences menu.

How can I use GTP powered sites but avoid cookies from other Websites?

The simplest way to do this is to visit a GTP iCommerce powered site, turn on cookies, complete your order and any other activities, then turn cookies off again when your order has been sent. This will allow you to use GTP powered sites trouble free, but prevent any other sites you visit before or afterwards from setting cookies.

Netscape 6 and Internet Explorer 6 also have facilities to automatically select which websites can and cannot set cookies on your computer. If you use a lot of GTP powered sites you may want to consider using these facilities to automatically accept GTP cookies.

These browsers are also capable of informing you whenever a cookie is about to be set. When using the procedures explained above to enable cookies, in Explorer 6 set the radio buttons to "Prompt" rather than "Enable". In Netscape tick the "Warn me before storing a Cookie" box. From then on you will be prompted to accept or block cookies individually. This allows you to check where they're coming from and what data they are storing for an added level of security.

How can I get more information?

We know that your security and privacy are important to you, and welcome enquiries regarding our systems and policies. To request more information or ask any questions, please email us at info@gtp.com.au or phone us on 1300 856 533 (within Australia). International callers can phone on +61 8 6389 0758, although normal international rates will apply.

We look forward to doing business
with you, and hope you enjoy your
online shopping experience
with GTP iCommerce