1st Formations Cookie Policy

1. What is a cookie?

Cookies are small text files that the majority of Websites use to identify and remember users and track their activities. They contain small amounts of information and are downloaded to a user’s laptop or other device by a web server when the user visits a Website and consents to their use. These cookies remain on the user’s device until they expire or are deleted.

2. What are cookies used for?

Without cookies, it would not be possible to achieve the level of interaction that internet users expect of the web. Cookies are used by web browsers for a variety of tasks, such as:

3. Does this website use cookies?

Yes, www.1stformations.co.uk (the “Website”) uses cookies. The cookies we use allow us to monitor and improve the There are four types of cookie that the Website uses:performance of our Website in general, and personalise each user’s experience on the Website.

4. What cookies does the Website use?

There are four types of cookie that the Website uses:

You can find more information about the individual cookies we use, and what they are used for below:

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Cookie Name Provider Expiration Description
ef_urchin_cart 1stformations.co.uk 1 day Used to carry cart information across the Website. Information is only used internally.
ef_urchin_latest-name-search 1stformations.co.uk 1 day Used internally to store and carry the user's latest name check search across pages internally.
ef_urchin_oid 1stformations.co.uk 30 days Used to store encrypted order ID for internal use only.
ef_urchin_tid 1stformations.co.uk 30 days Used to store encrypted transaction ID for internal use only.
ef_urchin_uid 1stformations.co.uk 30 days Used to store encrypted user ID for internal use only.
ef_urchin_referrer 1stformations.co.uk 7 days Used to determine how you reached our Website, directly or by referrer, for internal purposes only.
PHPSESSID 1stformations.co.uk Session Preserves user session state across page requests.
apbct_headless www.1stformationsblog.co.uk Session Used to detect spam and improve the Website's security.
apbct_page_hits www.1stformationsblog.co.uk Session Also used to detect spam and improve the Website's security.
apbct_session_id www.1stformationsblog.co.uk Session Also used to detect spam and improve the Website's security.
apbct_visible_fields www.1stformationsblog.co.uk Persistent Also used to detect spam and improve the Website's security.
apbct_session_current_page www.1stformationsblog.co.uk Session Holds which URL should be presented to the visitor when visiting the site.
wpEmojiSettingsSupports www.1stformationsblog.co.uk Persistent This cookie is part of a bundle of cookies which serve the purpose of content delivery and presentation. The cookies keep the correct state of font, blog/picture sliders, colour themes and other Website settings.
ct_checked_emails www.1stformationsblog.co.uk Persistent Also used to detect spam and improve the Website's security.
ct_checkjs www.1stformationsblog.co.uk Persistent Also used to detect spam and improve the Website's security.
ct_fkp_timestamp www.1stformationsblog.co.uk Persistent Also used to detect spam and improve the Website's security.
ct_pointer_data www.1stformationsblog.co.uk Persistent Also used to detect spam and improve the Website's security.
ct_ps_timestamp www.1stformationsblog.co.uk Persistent Also used to detect spam and improve the Website's security.
ct_screen_ www.1stformationsblog.co.uk Persistent Also used to detect spam and improve the Website's security.
ct_timezone www.1stformationsblog.co.uk Persistent Also used to detect spam and improve the Website's security.
ef_static_1st Amazon Session Used to determine if you are logged in, for use internally across subdomains of our Website.
SensitiveWord Amazon Session Used to manage content filtering and personalisation.
1.gif Cookiebot Session Used to count the number of sessions to the Website, necessary for optimising the consent management platform.
test_cookie Google 1 day Used to check if the user's browser supports cookies.
_GRECAPTCHA Google 180 days This cookie is used to distinguish between humans and bots. This is beneficial for the Website, to make valid reports on the use of the Website.
_grecaptcha Google Persistent This cookie is also used to distinguish between humans and bots. This is beneficial for the Website, to make valid reports on the use of the Website.
rc::a Google Persistent This cookie is also used to distinguish between humans and bots. This is beneficial for the Website, to make valid reports on the use of the Website.
rc::b Google Session This cookie is also used to distinguish between humans and bots.
rc::c Google Session This cookie is also used to distinguish between humans and bots.
rc::d-15# Google Persistent This cookie is also used to distinguish between humans and bots.
rc::f Google Persistent This cookie is also used to distinguish between humans and bots.
bcookie LinkedIn 1 year Used to detect spam and improve the Website's security.
li_gc LinkedIn 18 days Stores the user's cookie consent state for the current domain.
__cfruid Zendesk Session This cookie is part of the services provided by Cloudflare, including load balancing, delivery of Website content, and serving DNS connections for Website operators.
CookieConsent [x2] recommendation.1stformations.co.uk consent.cookiebot.com 1 year Stores the user's cookie consent state for the current domain.
__cf_bm [x2] static.zdassets.com vimeo.com 1 day This cookie is used to distinguish between humans and bots. This is beneficial for the Website, to make valid reports on the use of the Website.
_cfuvid [x2] static.zdassets.com vimeo.com Session This cookie is a part of the services provided by Cloudflare, including load-balancing, delivering Website content, and serving DNS connections for Website operators.

Analytical/Performance Cookies

Cookie Name Provider Expiration Description
p.gif Adobe Inc. Session Keeps track of special fonts used on the Website for internal analysis. This cookie does not register any visitor data.
_hjSession_# Hotjar 1 day Collects statistics on the visitor's visits to the Website, such as the number of visits, average time spent on the Website and what pages have been read.
_hjSessionUser_# Hotjar 1 year Collects statistics on the visitor's visits to the Website, such as the number of visits, average time spent on the Website and what pages have been read.
_hjTLDTest [x2] Hotjar Session Registers statistical data on users' behaviour on the Website. Used for internal analytics by the Website operator.
hjViewportId Hotjar Session Saves the user's screen size to adjust the size of images on the Website.
dicbo_id [x2] Outbrain 1 day Collects statistics concerning the visitors' use of the Website and its general functionality. This is used to optimise and compile reports on the Website for comparison through a third-party analysis service.
ZD-buid Zendesk Session Unique ID that identifies the user on recurring visits.
ZD-suid Zendesk Persistent Registers statistical data on users' behaviour on the Website. Used for internal analytics by the Website operator.
hjActiveViewportIds [x2] hotjar.com recommendation.1stformations.co.uk Persistent This cookie contains an ID string on the current session. This contains non-personal information on what subpages the visitor enters – this information is used to optimise the visitor's experience.
ct_has_scrolled www.1stformationsblog.co.uk Persistent Registers if the Website's scroll-depth detection is active - This function remembers how far the user has scrolled on the current session across the Website's subpages.
ct_mouse_moved www.1stformationsblog.co.uk Persistent This cookie also registers if the Website's scroll-depth detection is active - This function remembers how far the user has scrolled on the current session across the Website's subpages.

Functionality Cookies

Cookie Name Provider Expiration Description
Lidc LinkedIn 1 day This cookie helps the Website remember which server is serving you, so your experience remains smooth and consistent while you browse.
#.#.clientId Zendesk Session Identifies the visitor across devices and visits, to optimise the chatbox function on the Website.
apbct_iframes_protected www.1stformationsblog.co.uk Persistent Preserves user states when filling out forms.
ct_cookies_type www.1stformationsblog.co.uk Persistent Used to detect spam and improve the Website's security. Does not store visitor-specific data.

Targeting/Advertising Cookies

Cookie Name Provider Expiration Description
_fbp [x2] Meta Platforms Inc. 3 months This cookie measures the effectiveness of Facebook advertising.
lastExternalReferrer Meta Platforms Inc. Persistent Detects how the user reached the Website by registering their last URL address.
lastExternalReferrerTime Meta Platforms Inc. Persistent Detects how the user reached the Website by registering their last URL address.
_ga [x2] Google 2 years Used to send data to Google Analytics about the visitor's device and behaviour. Tracks the visitor across devices and marketing channels.
_ga_# [x2] Google 2 years Also used to send data to Google Analytics about the visitor's device and behaviour. Tracks the visitor across devices and marketing channels.
_gcl_au [x2] Google 3 months Used by Google AdSense for experimenting with advertisement efficiency across Websites using their services.
IDE Google 400 days The IDE cookie is used to identify what kind of advertisements have been interacted with before visiting the Website and how the Website is being used.
pagead/1p-user-list/# Google Session Tracks if the user has shown interest in specific products or events across multiple Websites and detects how the user navigates between sites. This is used for the measurement of advertisement efforts and facilitates payment of referral fees between Websites.
Irtps Impact Radius 1 day This cookie tracks user interactions and helps identify which affiliate or marketing source directed the user to the Website.
p/ Impact Radius Session This cookie helps attribute conversions, such as purchases or sign-ups, to the appropriate marketing channel or affiliate partner.
uetsid [x2] Microsoft 1 day Collects data on visitor behaviour from multiple Websites, to present more relevant advertisements. This cookie also allows the Website to limit the number of times that users are shown the same advertisement.
_uetvid [x2] Microsoft 1 year Used to track visitors on multiple Websites, to present relevant advertisements based on the visitor's preferences.
MSPTC Microsoft 1 year This cookie enables us to give relevant advertisements to users of the Website.
MUID Microsoft 1 year This is an anonymous identifier used to track users' interactions with websites and ads without revealing their personal identity.
MR Microsoft 7 days This cookie is used by Microsoft and serves as part of their analytics and tracking services. Specifically, it works with the MUID cookie to determine whether to refresh or extend its lifetime.
unifiedPixel Outbrain Session Collects data on the user’s navigation and behaviour on the website. This is used to compile statistical reports and heatmaps for the Website owner.
uetsid [x2] bing.com recommendation.1stformations.co.uk Persistent Used to track visitors on multiple websites to present relevant advertisements based on the visitor's preferences.
_uetsid_exp [x2] bing.com recommendation.1stformations.co.uk Persistent Contains the expiry date for the cookie with the corresponding name.
_uetvid [x2] bing.com recommendation.1stformations.co.uk Persistent Used to track visitors on multiple websites to present relevant advertisements based on the visitor's preferences.
_uetvid_exp [x2] bing.com recommendation.1stformations.co.uk Persistent Contains the expiry date for the cookie with the corresponding name.
IR_12045 d.impactradius-event.com Session This cookie helps monitor user activities on websites associated with the Impact Radius network during a single browsing session. This enables the network to assess the performance of marketing campaigns or affiliates, ensuring accurate tracking of conversions or interactions.
IR_gbd [x2] d.impactradius-event.com Session Registers a unique ID that identifies the user's device during return visits across websites that use the same ad network. The ID is used to allow targeted ads.
IR_PI d.impactradius-event.com 2 years Tracks the conversion rate between the user and the advertisement banners on the Website. This serves to optimise the relevance of the advertisements on the Website.
brwsr [x2] ojrq.net sjv.io 400 days Collects data on the user across websites. This data is used to make advertisements more relevant.
__tld__ [x2] wisepops.net Session Used to track visitors on multiple websites to present relevant advertisements based on the visitor's preferences.
wisepops [x2] wisepops.net Session Used in context with pop-up advertisement content on the website. This cookie determines which ads the visitor should be shown, as well as ensuring that the same ads do not get shown more than intended.
wisepops_session [x2] wisepops.net Session Also used in context with pop-up advertisement content on the website. This cookie determines which ads the visitor should be shown, as well as ensuring that the same ads do not get shown more than intended.
wisepops_visits [x2] wisepops.net Session Also used in context with pop-up advertisement content on the website. This cookie determines which ads the visitor should be shown, as well as ensuring that the same ads do not get shown more than intended.
wisepops_visitor [x2] wisepops.net Session Sets a unique ID for the visitor that allows third-party advertisers to target the visitor with relevant advertisements.
wisepops_session_id wisepops.net Session It also sets a unique ID for the visitor that allows third-party advertisers to target the visitor with relevant advertisements.
wisepops_session_landing_url wisepops.net Session Stores visitors' navigation by registering landing pages. This allows the Website to present relevant products and/or measure their advertisement efficiency on other websites.
wisepops_session_referrer wisepops.net Session Collects data on visitors' behaviour and interaction. This is used to make advertisements on the Website more relevant. This cookie also allows the Website to detect any referrals from other websites.
wisepops-pageview_id wisepops.net Session Determines when the visitor last visited the different subpages on the Website and sets a timestamp for when the session started.
wisepops-uses-attention wisepops.net Session This cookie tracks how visitors engage with content, such as popups and attention-grabbing elements, to optimise marketing campaigns.

5. Third Party Cookies

Many of the cookies used on our Website are third party cookies in connection with which we have no control or liability. We recommend that you check these third party websites to learn more about their use of cookies.

To opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics across all websites, visit http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

To deactivate the use of third party advertising cookies generally, you can also visit NAI Consumer Opt Out.

6. Can I use my web browser to delete or disable cookies?

You can easily delete cookies at any time and modify your browser setting to automatically disable or enable all or specific cookies. You can also set your web browser to notify you every time a cookie is presented to your computer, allowing you to reject or accept them on an individual basis.

In addition, you can use the cookie consent banner to alter your cookie settings.

The following links contain instructions which will help you manage your cookies in relation to the most common web browsers:

Please be aware that:

7. What if I have questions?

If you have any questions or concerns about our use of cookies, please send us an email at [email protected].

You can also find further information and guidance on cookies by visiting the following websites:

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