Consumer Reports' use of cookies and Web beaconsCookies
We use "cookies" to store, and sometimes to track, user information. Cookies, by themselves, do not tell us your e-mail address
or other personally identifiable information unless you choose to provide this information to us by, for example, registering
or subscribing to our sites. A cookie is a small amount of data that is sent to your browser from a Web server and stored
on your computer's hard drive. A cookie contains a unique number that allows our sites to recognize your computer.
We use temporary and persistent cookies. A temporary cookie tracks visitor activity during a session or visit and it expires
when you close your browser. We use them to provide continuity for your visit as you visit Web site pages. Persistent cookies
allow us to keep track of your user name and password (if you are a subscriber) so you don't have to re-enter that information
each time you visit. The Help function on most browsers contains information on how to set your browser to notify you before
accepting cookies or to disable cookies entirely. However, if you don't accept cookies, you won't be able to take advantage
of various features on our sites that are available to other visitors.
Web beacons
Our Web sites and e-mails use a variety of technical methods for tracking purposes, including Web beacons. We use Web beacons
(also known as clear gifs) on some of our site pages in conjunction with cookies to compile statistics about site usage. Web
beacons are small pieces of data that are embedded in images on the pages of Web sites. We use these technical methods to
analyze the traffic patterns on our sites, such as the frequency with which our users visit various parts of our sites and
to measure site effectiveness. We also use Web beacons in HTML e-mails that we send our visitors who have agreed to receive
e-mail from us, to determine whether our recipients have opened those e-mails and/or clicked on links in those e-mails.
On their own, cookies or Web beacons do not contain or reveal any personally identifiable information. However, if you choose
to furnish Consumer Reports with personally identifiable information, this information can be linked to the data stored in the cookies or Web beacons.
These technical methods may involve the transmission of information either directly to us or to other parties authorized by us to collect information on our behalf. We also use these technical methods in HTML e-mails that we send our visitors who have agreed to receive e-mail from us,
to determine whether our visitors have opened those e-mails and/or clicked on links contained in those e-mails. These technical
methods allow us to make our Web sites, and any e-mails you have agreed to receive, more interesting to you.
You may render some Web beacons unusable by rejecting their associated cookies.
Our ads and content on other sites
We do not allow third-party ads on our Web sites. We may place ads for Consumer Reports products or services on other Web sites or provide some of our content to these other sites. If you view a Web page where
ads or content appear for a Consumer Reports service, the online site may place a cookie or Web beacon on your computer. This allows the site to recognize the computer
when it is used to return to that site, or to measure advertising response. This data is anonymous and is not linked to personal
data on the user's computer or any Consumer Reports databases. This data also may be used by the external site to measure advertising effectiveness, content interest, and relevance.
Consumer Reports does not have access to the data collected by other sites. To prevent other sites from placing cookies on your computer,
you will need to visit each Web site and use their cookie-removal process or set your browser cookie filter accordingly.
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