Cookie Policy - NeuroForgeDesign

Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, which cookies we use on the NeuroForgeDesign website (“the Site”), why we use them, and how you can manage your preferences. We are committed to handling your data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR). In line with these regulations, we will only use non-essential cookies on your device with your explicit consent. Essential cookies (necessary for the site to function) are used in a limited manner as permitted by law.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are downloaded onto your device (computer, smartphone, tablet, etc.) when you visit a website. These files allow the website to recognize your device and store information about your preferences or past actions. In practice, cookies serve various purposes, such as enabling core site functionality, maintaining user sessions, remembering user preferences, and collecting analytics data about site usage. Cookies are not programs – they do not run any code on your device; they simply help websites function smoothly and personalize your experience.

Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies to ensure our Site works correctly, to enhance your user experience, and to help us understand how visitors interact with our Site. Some cookies are essential to make the website operate (for example, to load pages or secure the site), while others help remember your choices (like cookie consent preferences) or collect analytics information that we use to improve our content and design. We do not use cookies for advertising or marketing purposes on our Site at this time – only for functionality, security, and analytics as described in this policy.

Types of Cookies We Use

For transparency, we categorize the cookies used on NeuroForgeDesign into the following categories:

Strictly Necessary Cookies: These cookies are essential for the core operation of our website and enable basic functions like page navigation, security, and network management. Without these cookies, the website cannot function properly. They are usually first-party cookies and do not require user consent under UK law. We only use necessary cookies that are required to deliver the services you explicitly request, and we do not use them to collect personal data for marketing.
Functional Cookies: These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization on our Site. They are not strictly necessary, but they help us remember your choices and preferences to provide a better user experience. If we use functional cookies, they would only be set with your consent. (Note: As of now, we do not actively use any functional cookies on NeuroForgeDesign, but this category is reserved for any such cookies should they be added in the future.)
Analytics Cookies: These cookies (a subset of “performance cookies”) help us understand how visitors use our Site, so we can improve it. Analytics cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources, see which pages are popular, and learn how users move around the site. The data collected is aggregated and intended to be anonymous. We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) for this purpose, which sets cookies only with your consent.

Below we provide detailed information about each cookie currently in use or potentially used on our Site, grouped by category. This includes the cookie’s name, provider, purpose, type, and typical duration (how long it remains on your device).

Detailed Cookie Information

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the operation of the website. We do not require user consent for these necessary cookies, but we provide this information for transparency:

Cookie Name: nf_session (or potentially __Secure-nf_session)
Provider: Netlify / NeuroForgeDesign (First-party, set by hosting platform)
Purpose: A general session cookie used by our hosting platform (Netlify) to maintain an active user session on the Site. It helps the server keep you connected as you navigate pages, ensuring the website functions properly (e.g., retaining temporary preferences, ensuring continuity between page loads).
Type: HTTP session cookie.
Duration: For the duration of your session (temporary, typically erased when you close your browser).
Cookie Name: __cfduid (or similar Cloudflare security cookies if applicable)
Provider: Cloudflare (via Netlify hosting) (First-party)
Purpose: A security cookie used by Cloudflare’s content delivery network if active for our site, primarily to identify trusted web traffic and protect against malicious visitors. It helps speed up page load times and secure the site. It does not typically contain personally identifying information or track users across sites for advertising purposes. (Note: The specific `__cfduid` cookie has been largely deprecated by Cloudflare for general use but other security cookies might be in place from Netlify's infrastructure.)
Type: HTTP cookie (persistent or session, depending on specific cookie).
Duration: Varies (e.g., `__cfduid` was historically up to 1 year, other security cookies may be session-based or have different lifespans). *Please verify actual cookies on your live site.*
Cookie Name: CookieConsent (or the name set by your consent tool)
Provider: NeuroForgeDesign (set by our cookie consent solution)
Purpose: This cookie remembers your cookie consent preferences (i.e., which categories of cookies you have accepted or rejected). It is set when you interact with our cookie consent banner. Storing your choice ensures the Site respects your preferences on subsequent visits.
Type: HTTP persistent cookie (first-party).
Duration: Typically 150 days to 1 year (as configured in your consent banner settings). After expiration, or if you clear this cookie, you may be prompted again.

Functional Cookies

At this time, our Site does not use any functional cookies. Should this change (e.g., if we add features to remember site layout preferences or other non-essential settings for enhanced user experience), we will update this policy and list such cookies here. Any functional cookies would only be set if you consent to them via the cookie banner.

Analytics Cookies

Analytics cookies collect information about how visitors use our Site, helping us improve its functionality and content. We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4). These cookies are only set if you provide consent via our cookie consent banner.

Cookie Name(s): _ga, _ga_YOUR-GA-MEASUREMENT-ID (e.g., _ga_G-YW9P969J2X)
Provider: Google (Google Analytics) (Set as first-party cookies on our domain)
Purpose:_ga: Used to distinguish unique users by assigning a randomly generated client identifier._ga_YOUR-GA-MEASUREMENT-ID: Used to persist session state for your specific GA4 property.
These help us count visits, see traffic sources, and understand user interaction patterns to improve the site.Type: HTTP persistent cookies.
Duration: _ga typically 2 years; _ga_YOUR-GA-MEASUREMENT-ID typically 2 years.
Cookie Name: _gid
Provider: Google (Google Analytics) (Set as a first-party cookie on our domain)
Purpose: Used to distinguish users for analytics purposes, typically for tracking user behavior within a single day or session.
Type: HTTP persistent cookie.
Duration: Typically 24 hours.
Cookie Name: _gat_gtag_YOUR_GA_MEASUREMENT_ID_HERE (or similar if using gtag.js)
Provider: Google (Google Analytics)
Purpose: Used to throttle the request rate to Google Analytics servers, preventing overload. It does not store user information.
Type: HTTP persistent cookie.
Duration: Typically 1 minute.

Note on Google Analytics: We have configured Google Analytics to respect privacy best practices, including IP address anonymization within GA4. All analytics information collected is processed by Google in aggregated form. Data collected by these cookies may be transferred to Google servers for processing. For more details on how Google handles data, please refer to Google’s Privacy Policy and Google’s cookie usage documentation.

Third-Party Content and Cookies

Currently, aside from Google Analytics (described above) and cookies set by our hosting provider (Netlify/Cloudflare) for essential operation and security, we do not embed content from other third parties that would set their own cookies (e.g., social media plugins, video embeds like YouTube/Vimeo, or advertising networks). If we incorporate such third-party content in the future, this policy will be updated to identify any new cookies. No non-essential third-party cookies will be set without your consent via our cookie banner.

Managing and Controlling Cookies

Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit our Site, you will see a cookie consent banner. This banner provides you with options to:

Accept All: Consent to all categories of cookies we use (currently, this includes strictly necessary and analytics cookies).
Reject All (or Decline): Opt-out of all non-essential cookies. Only strictly necessary cookies will be used.
Manage Preferences (or Customize): Selectively opt-in or out of specific cookie categories (e.g., enable analytics cookies or keep them disabled).

Our banner is designed so that non-essential cookies are not set on your device until you have made an affirmative choice.

Revisiting Your Cookie Preferences

After your initial choice, you can modify your cookie preferences at any time. We provide a way for you to revisit the cookie consent options, typically via a "Cookie Settings" or "Manage Cookies" link or button, often found in the website footer or within this policy page. Clicking this will reopen the consent management interface, allowing you to change your selections.

Alternatively, if you have trouble locating this link, you can clear the consent cookie (usually named CookieConsent or similar) from your browser for our site, or clear all cookies for our site. This will reset your preferences and trigger the consent banner to appear again on your next visit or page refresh.

Browser Settings

You also have the ability to control and delete cookies through your web browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block some or all cookies, accept cookies from specific websites, or delete cookies that have already been set. For instructions, consult your browser’s help documentation. Here are links for common browsers:

Please note that if you disable all cookies, especially strictly necessary cookies, some parts of our Site may not function properly.

Your Choices and Rights

It is your choice whether to accept cookies beyond those strictly required for the website to operate. We will not set any non-essential cookies unless you opt-in. Refusing or withdrawing consent for analytics cookies will not affect your access to or use of our Site; it will simply mean your visit is not included in our aggregated analytics data.

For further details on how we handle personal data (including data that may be collected via cookies), please see our Privacy Policy.

Updates to this Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use or to comply with legal requirements. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy, please contact us at:

Email: contact@neuroforgedesign.com