Cookie Policy
Details about cookies on Security.gov.uk
Security.gov.uk puts small files (known as ‘cookies’) onto your computer to collect information about how you browse the site.
Cookies are small text files containing a string of characters that can be placed on your computer or mobile device that uniquely identify your browser or device. Cookies tell us if your computer or device has visited the site before. They help us understand how the site is being used, help you navigate between pages efficiently, help remember your preferences, and generally improve your browsing experience.
Cookies help us remember what notifications we send you and make our general communications relevant to you and your interests. Changes made to this policy can be identified by the ‘last updated’ date at the bottom of this page. Any changes to how your cookie data is processed will be promptly reflected in this policy and will immediately apply to you and your data. If these changes affect how your data is processed, Security.gov.uk will take reasonable steps to let you know.
Accepting all cookies via our website banner activates those cookie settings that are listed as optional on the settings page (that is, not ‘strictly necessary’). Your activation of all optional cookies lasts for 3 months and the banner will appear again. This gives you the opportunity to regularly re-visit and adjust your decision. Find out more about how to manage cookies, including how to delete and block them, on the Information Commission Office’s website. To learn more about how we protect and process your information see our Privacy Notice.
Strictly necessary cookies
These cookies do things like remember your preferences and the choices you make, to personalise your experience of using the Security.gov.uk website.
Cookies message
You may see a banner when you visit Security.gov.uk inviting you to accept cookies or review your settings. We’ll set cookies so that your computer knows you’ve seen it and not to show it again, and also to store your settings.
| Name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| cookie_policy | Saves your cookie consent settings | 1 year |
Cookies that measure website use
We use Matomo Analytics software to collect anonymised information about how you use this site. We do this to help make sure the site is meeting the needs of its users and to help us make improvements. We do not allow Matomo to use or share the data about how you use this site.
Matomo Analytics stores information about:
- how you got to the site
- the pages you visit on this site and how long you spend on them
- what you click on while you’re visiting the site
Matomo Analytics sets the following cookies.
| Name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| _pk_ref | Used to store the attribution information, the referrer initially used to visit the website | 6 months |
| _pk_cvar | Short lived cookies used to temporarily store data for the visit | 30 minutes |
| _pk_id | Used to store a few details about the user such as the unique visitor ID | 13 months |
| _pk_ses | Short lived cookies used to temporarily store data for the visit | 30 minutes |
| matomo_sessid | It is important to note that it doesn’t contain any data used to identify visitors and is considered an “Essential” cookie | 14 days |
| _pk_hsr | Short lived cookies used to temporarily store data for the visit | 30 minutes |
| _pk_id | Used to manage the rate at which page view requests are made | 10 minutes |
You can opt out of Matomo Analytics cookies.
Cookies that help with our communications
Some Security.gov.uk pages may contain content from other sites, like YouTube or Flickr, which may set their own cookies. These sites are sometimes called ‘third party’ services. This tells us how many people are seeing the content and whether it’s useful.
In addition, if you share a link to a Security.gov.uk page, the service you share it on (for example, Facebook) may set a cookie. We have no control over cookies set on other websites – you can turn them off, but not through us.
YouTube videos
We use YouTube to show videos on some Security.gov.uk pages. YouTube sets cookies when you visit one of these pages.
| Name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| _use_hitbox | This is a randomly generated number that identifies your browser | When you close your browser |
| VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE | Lets YouTube count the views of embedded YouTube videos | 9 months |
Change your cookie options
You can change which cookies you’re happy for us to use.
Last updated 25 July 2024