The VPN Advisor
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Cookie Policy

Everything you need to know about cookies on VPN Advisor - simple, clear, and transparent.

📅 Last updated: January 2025
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Welcome to Our Cookie Policy!

We believe in being transparent about how we use cookies on VPN Advisor. This policy explains everything you need to know in simple, clear language.

We use a simple approach: you can choose "Essential Only" or "Accept All". That's it - no complex categories or confusing options.

This policy covers all cookies used on thevpnadvisor.com and explains your simple choices for managing them.

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What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that websites store on your device when you visit them. Think of them as digital sticky notes that help websites remember information about your visit.

✅ What Cookies Do

  • • Remember your preferences and settings
  • • Keep you logged in to websites
  • • Analyze how websites are used
  • • Provide personalized experiences
  • • Enable essential website functions

🔒 Cookie Safety

  • • Cannot access your personal files
  • • Cannot install malware or viruses
  • • Only store text information
  • • Can be deleted anytime by you
  • • Are controlled by privacy settings
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Our Simple Cookie Approach

We keep it simple with just two categories that match your actual choices:

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Essential Cookies

Required for the website to work properly.

  • • Website security and functionality
  • • Remembering your cookie preference
  • • Basic site navigation

Always enabled - cannot be disabled

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Analytics Cookies

Help us understand how you use our site.

  • • Anonymous visitor tracking
  • • Page view analytics
  • • Website improvement insights

Optional - you control these

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Specific Cookies We Use

Here's a complete list of the specific cookies we use - we only use 2 cookies total:

✅ Essential Website Cookies

Cookie NamePurposeDuration
consent_levelRemembers your cookie preferences1 year

Note: This cookie is always set regardless of your choice because we need to remember your preference.

📊 Analytics Cookies (Optional)

Cookie NamePurposeDuration
anonymous_idAnonymous identifier for our server-side analytics1 year

Note: This cookie is only set if you choose "Accept All". It contains a random ID that doesn't identify you personally.

🎯 What We Don't Use

  • • No Google Analytics cookies (_ga, _gid, etc.)
  • • No third-party tracking cookies
  • • No advertising or marketing cookies
  • • No social media tracking pixels
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Our Analytics Approach

We use a custom server-side analytics system instead of third-party services like Google Analytics.

✨ Why Server-Side Analytics?

  • • Better Privacy: No third-party tracking or data sharing
  • • Faster Website: No external scripts slowing down your browsing
  • • More Accurate: Works even if JavaScript is disabled
  • • Your Control: Data stays with us, not shared with big tech companies

When you choose "Accept All", we track basic page views anonymously to understand how people use our site and improve it. No personal information is collected or stored.

🔒 Third-Party Services

We don't use any third-party tracking services. When you interact with external links, those sites may have their own cookies, but that's outside our control and not covered by this policy.

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Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You have simple, clear control over cookies on our site:

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Our Cookie Banner

When you first visit, you'll see our cookie banner with two simple choices:

  • • Essential Only - just the cookies we need
  • • Accept All - essential + anonymous analytics

You can change your choice anytime using the "Manage Cookies" link in the footer.

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Browser Settings

You can also control cookies through your browser:

  • • Chrome: Settings → Privacy → Cookies
  • • Firefox: Preferences → Privacy → Cookies
  • • Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Cookies
  • • Edge: Settings → Privacy → Cookies

⚠️ Disabling All Cookies

If you disable all cookies in your browser, our website will still work, but we won't be able to remember your cookie preference (so the banner will keep appearing).

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Your Simple Cookie Choices

We aim to be the most transparent VPN comparison site, and that extends to our simple cookie approach:

🎯 Two Simple Choices

We keep it simple with just two clear options:

  • • Essential Only - just the 1 cookie we need
  • • Accept All - essential + 1 anonymous analytics cookie

No confusing categories or hidden opt-outs.

🔒 Your Privacy

We respect your privacy with:

  • • Only 2 cookies maximum - that's it!
  • • No third-party tracking services
  • • Server-side analytics (more private)
  • • Easy to understand and control

Just 2 cookies, maximum transparency. 🍪

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Policy Updates

We may update this cookie policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements.

📢 How We'll Notify You

  • • Update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page
  • • Display a notice on our website for significant changes
  • • For major changes, we may ask for your consent again
  • • Check this page periodically for updates
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Questions About Cookies?

If you have questions about our cookie usage or need help managing your preferences, we're here to help.

💬 Get in Touch

Contact us with any questions about cookies, privacy, or how to manage your preferences.

We typically respond within 24-48 hours and are happy to help you understand your options.

Thanks for taking the time to learn about our cookie practices! 🍪 Your privacy and understanding are important to us.