1 Our website uses cookies.
2 A cookie is a file containing an identifier (a string of letters and numbers) that is sent by a web server to a web browser and is stored by the browser. The identifier is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server.
3 Cookies may be either “persistent” cookies or “session” cookies: a persistent cookie will be stored by a web browser and will remain valid until its set expiry date, unless deleted by the user before the expiry date; a session cookie, on the other hand, will expire at the end of the user session, when the web browser is closed.
4 Cookies do not typically contain any information that personally identifies a user, but personal information that we store about you may be linked to the information stored in and obtained from cookies.
5 We use both session and persistent cookies on our website.
6 The names of the cookies that we use on our website, and the purposes for which they are used, are set out below:
NID : Set for system monitoring
PHPSESSID: ID for session records – for maintaining login state.
comment_author_{HASH}: Name of user if commenting, for autocomplete of details
comment_author_email_{HASH}: Email of user if commenting, for autocomplete of details
comment_author_url_{HASH}: Email of user if commenting, for autocomplete of details
wp_woocommerce_session-{HASH}: Session cookie for shopping cart persistence
slimstat_tracking_code: To track user website usage
_ga, _gat, _gid : All set by Google for google analytics and service caching
bp-courseextras, bp-course-filter, bp-course-scope: Set to manage a user session on a course
7 Most browsers allow you to refuse to accept cookies; for example:
(a) in Internet Explorer (version 11) you can block cookies using the cookie handling override settings available by clicking “Tools”, “Internet Options”, “Privacy” and then “Advanced”;
(b) in Firefox (version 44) you can block all cookies by clicking “Tools”, “Options”, “Privacy”, selecting “Use custom settings for history” from the drop-down menu, and unticking “Accept cookies from sites”; and
(c) in Chrome (version 48), you can block all cookies by accessing the “Customise and control” menu, and clicking “Settings”, “Show advanced settings” and “Content settings”, and then selecting “Block sites from setting any data” under the “Cookies” heading.
8 Blocking all cookies will have a negative impact upon the usability of many websites.
9 If you block cookies, you will not be able to use all the features on our website.
10 You can delete cookies already stored on your computer; for example:
(a) in Internet Explorer (version 11), you must manually delete cookie files (you can find instructions for doing so at http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/internet-explorer/delete-manage-cookies#ie=ie-11);
(b) in Firefox (version 44), you can delete cookies by clicking “Tools”, “Options” and “Privacy”, then selecting “Use custom settings for history” from the drop-down menu, clicking “Show Cookies”, and then clicking “Remove All Cookies”; and
(c) in Chrome (version 48), you can delete all cookies by accessing the “Customise and control” menu, and clicking “Settings”, “Show advanced settings” and “Clear browsing data”, and then selecting “Cookies and other site and plug-in data” before clicking “Clear browsing data”.
11 Deleting cookies will have a negative impact on the usability of many websites.
Third party websites
Our website includes hyperlinks to, and details of, third party websites.
We have no control over, and are not responsible for, the privacy policies and practices of third parties.
Monitoring of IT systems
- ICST will monitor usage of its website/learning management system and networks. Any institutional monitoring or access will comply with UK legislation including the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, Human Rights Act 1998, and the Data Protection Act 1998 and General Data Protection Regulation 2018. Where necessary any access or monitoring will be justifiable, fair and proportionate.