Cookie Policy

Cookies allow websites to remember your preferences, improve your browsing experience, and help us understand how visitors use our site. Some cookies are essential for the website to function, while others help us analyze site usage and improve our services.

How we use cookies

VARA uses cookies to enhance your experience on our website, analyze how our site is used, and improve our services. We only use cookies that are necessary for the website to function or that you have consented to.

Types of cookies we use

We categorize cookies based on their purpose and how long they remain on your device:

1. Essential cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off. They are usually set in response to actions you take, such as setting privacy preferences, logging in, or filling in forms.

• Purpose: Enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility
• Duration: Session cookies (deleted when you close your browser) or persistent cookies (remain until expiry)
• Example: Cookies that remember your cookie consent preferences

2. Performance and analytics cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. This helps us improve how our website works.

• Purpose: Analyze website traffic, page views, and user behavior patterns
• Provider: Google Analytics
• Cookie names: _ga, _ga_*, _gid
• Duration: Up to 2 years
• Opt-out: You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on

3. Functionality cookies

These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization, such as remembering your preferences or language selection.

• Purpose: Remember your preferences and settings
• Duration: Varies (typically session-based or up to 1 year)
• Example: Cookies that remember your form input preferences

4. Targeting and advertising cookies

Currently, VARA does not use targeting or advertising cookies. If we introduce these in the future, we will update this policy and obtain your consent before using them.

Managing your cookie preferences

You have control over cookies. Here's how you can manage them:

Cookie consent banner

When you first visit our website, you may see a cookie consent banner. You can choose to accept all cookies, reject non-essential cookies, or customize your preferences. Your choices are saved and remembered for future visits.

Browser settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can set your browser to refuse cookies or alert you when cookies are being sent. However, blocking essential cookies may impact your ability to use certain features of our website.

Here are links to cookie management instructions for popular browsers:

• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Safari
• Microsoft Edge

Third-party cookie opt-outs

For analytics cookies, you can opt out directly with the service provider:

• Google Analytics: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on

Consent and tracking

For non-essential cookies (performance, analytics, functionality, and advertising), we require your consent before placing them on your device. We track your consent preferences using a cookie that stores your choices.

You can change your cookie preferences at any time by:

• Clearing your browser cookies and revisiting our site to see the consent banner again
• Adjusting your browser settings to manage cookies
• Contacting us to update your preferences

Updates to this policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. When we make changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the bottom of this page.

More information

For more information about cookies and how they work, you can visit www.allaboutcookies.org.

Contact us

If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:

Email: stak@varaonline.co.za
Website: varaonline.co.za