Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. They contain information that helps websites recognize your device and remember information about your visit, such as your preferred language and other settings.

1.1 Types of Cookies

Cookies can be classified in several ways:

By Duration:

• Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser
• Persistent Cookies: Remain on your device for a set period or until manually deleted

By Origin:

• First-Party Cookies: Set directly by our website (knowledge-solaris.com)
• Third-Party Cookies: Set by external services we use (analytics, social media, etc.)

1.2 Similar Technologies

In addition to cookies, we may use similar technologies such as:

• Web Beacons: Small transparent images used to track user behavior
• Local Storage: Browser storage for larger amounts of data
• Session Storage: Temporary storage that expires when the browser tab closes
• Pixels: Tracking codes embedded in web pages or emails

2. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies for various purposes to improve your experience on our website and provide our services effectively.

2.1 Essential Functionality

These cookies are necessary for basic website operation:

• Maintaining your login session and authentication
• Remembering your cookie consent preferences
• Securing forms and preventing CSRF attacks
• Load balancing and server performance optimization
• Shopping cart functionality for service purchases

2.2 User Experience Enhancement

These cookies improve your browsing experience:

• Remembering your language and region preferences
• Storing your customized interface settings
• Saving your progress in forms and applications
• Personalizing content based on your interests
• Providing relevant gaming recommendations

2.3 Analytics and Performance

We use analytics cookies to understand how visitors use our website:

• Measuring website traffic and user engagement
• Analyzing popular content and user journeys
• Identifying technical issues and performance problems
• Testing new features and improvements
• Generating statistical reports for business decisions

2.4 Marketing and Advertising

With your consent, we may use marketing cookies for:

• Delivering personalized advertisements
• Measuring the effectiveness of marketing campaigns
• Retargeting visitors who showed interest in our services
• Tracking conversions and ROI for advertising
• Building audience profiles for targeted marketing

3. Categories of Cookies We Use

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies cannot be disabled as they are essential for website functionality:

3.2 Functional Cookies

These cookies enhance your user experience (optional):

3.3 Analytics Cookies

These cookies help us understand website usage (optional):

3.4 Marketing Cookies

These cookies enable personalized advertising (optional):

4. Third-Party Cookies

Our website may contain content or services from third parties that set their own cookies. We do not control these third-party cookies, and they are subject to the respective third party's privacy and cookie policies.

4.1 Social Media Platforms

We use social media plugins and sharing buttons from:

• Facebook: Social sharing and Like buttons
• Twitter: Tweet buttons and embedded content
• Instagram: Photo embedding and sharing
• YouTube: Video embedding and playback
• LinkedIn: Professional sharing features

4.2 Analytics Services

We use third-party analytics services including:

• Google Analytics: Website traffic and user behavior analysis
• Google Tag Manager: Tag and code management
• Hotjar: User experience analysis and heatmaps
• Mixpanel: Event tracking and conversion measurement

4.3 Advertising Networks

We may use advertising services from:

• Google AdSense: Display advertising
• Google AdWords: Search and display advertising
• Facebook Ads: Social media advertising
• LinkedIn Ads: Professional network advertising

4.4 Payment Processors

For service payments, we use:

• Stripe: Credit card and online payment processing
• PayPal: Alternative payment methods
• Square: Point-of-sale and online payments

5. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You have several options for managing cookies on our website and in your browser.

5.1 Cookie Consent Manager

Our website includes a cookie consent manager that allows you to:

• Accept all cookies for full functionality
• Accept only necessary cookies for basic operation
• Customize your preferences by cookie category
• Change your preferences at any time
• Withdraw consent for optional cookies

You can access the cookie settings by clicking the "Cookie Preferences" link in our website footer or by clicking the cookie icon that appears on our pages.

5.2 Browser Cookie Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings:

Google Chrome:

1. Click the three-dot menu → Settings
2. Click "Privacy and security" → "Cookies and other site data"
3. Choose your preferred cookie settings
4. Manage exceptions for specific websites

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Click the hamburger menu → Settings
2. Click "Privacy & Security"
3. Under "Cookies and Site Data," choose your settings
4. Use "Manage Data" to control specific cookies

Safari:

1. Click Safari → Preferences
2. Click the "Privacy" tab
3. Choose your cookie and website data settings
4. Use "Manage Website Data" for specific control

Microsoft Edge:

1. Click the three-dot menu → Settings
2. Click "Cookies and site permissions"
3. Choose "Cookies and site data"
4. Configure your cookie preferences

5.3 Mobile Device Settings

iOS (Safari):

1. Go to Settings → Safari
2. Scroll to "Privacy & Security"
3. Configure "Block All Cookies" settings
4. Manage website data and preferences

Android (Chrome):

1. Open Chrome → Settings
2. Tap "Site Settings" → "Cookies"
3. Choose your cookie preferences
4. Manage exceptions and blocked sites

5.4 Opt-Out Tools

For advertising cookies, you can use industry opt-out tools:

• Digital Advertising Alliance: optout.aboutads.info
• European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance: youronlinechoices.eu
• Network Advertising Initiative: optout.networkadvertising.org

6. Impact of Disabling Cookies

While you have the right to disable cookies, doing so may affect your experience on our website:

6.1 Essential Cookies

Disabling essential cookies may result in:

• Inability to log in or maintain your session
• Loss of form data and preferences
• Security vulnerabilities and protection issues
• Inability to complete purchases or service requests
• Reduced website functionality and performance

6.2 Functional Cookies

Disabling functional cookies may cause:

• Loss of personalized settings and preferences
• Repeated requests for language and location
• Inability to remember your choices and configurations
• Less convenient and efficient browsing experience

6.3 Analytics Cookies

Disabling analytics cookies will:

• Prevent us from understanding user behavior patterns
• Limit our ability to improve website performance
• Reduce the effectiveness of our content optimization
• Impact our ability to identify and fix technical issues

6.4 Marketing Cookies

Disabling marketing cookies will result in:

• Less relevant advertising and recommendations
• Inability to measure marketing campaign effectiveness
• Generic rather than personalized content
• Potential increase in irrelevant advertisements

7. International Data Transfers

Some of our third-party service providers may be located outside Australia, which means your data collected through cookies may be transferred internationally.

7.1 Adequate Protection

We ensure that international transfers have adequate protection through:

• Adequacy decisions by the Australian Privacy Commissioner
• Standard contractual clauses and data transfer agreements
• Binding corporate rules for multinational service providers
• Certification schemes and codes of conduct

7.2 Third-Party Locations

Our main third-party services are located in:

• United States: Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Stripe
• European Union: Various analytics and marketing services
• United Kingdom: Some hosting and analytics providers
• Canada: Backup and recovery services

8. Data Retention and Deletion

8.1 Retention Periods

Different types of cookies have different retention periods:

• Session Cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
• Functional Cookies: Retained for 6 months to 1 year
• Analytics Cookies: Retained for up to 2 years
• Marketing Cookies: Retained for 30-90 days typically

8.2 Data Deletion

You can delete cookies and related data by:

• Using your browser's clear data functionality
• Adjusting your cookie preferences on our website
• Contacting us to request data deletion
• Using third-party opt-out and deletion tools

8.3 Automatic Expiration

Cookies automatically expire based on their set duration. We regularly review and update retention periods to ensure they are appropriate for their intended purpose.

9. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements.

9.1 Notification of Changes

When we make significant changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Notify you through our website banner or popup
• Send email notifications to registered users when appropriate
• Request renewed consent for new cookie categories

9.2 Review Recommendations

We recommend that you:

• Review this Cookie Policy periodically
• Check your cookie preferences regularly
• Stay informed about changes to our data practices
• Update your consent preferences as needed

10. Contact Information

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy:

Quick Cookie Management

For immediate cookie management:

• Use our Cookie Preferences Center
• Clear your browser cookies and data
• Adjust your browser's privacy settings
• Use third-party opt-out tools for advertising cookies

We will respond to cookie-related inquiries within 7 business days.