A cookie is a file containing an identifier (a string of letters and numbers) that is sent by a web server to a web browser and is stored by the browser. The identifier is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server.
Cookies may be either ‘persistent’ cookies or ‘session’ cookies. A persistent cookie is stored by a web browser and will remain valid until its set expiry date unless deleted by the user before the expiry date. A session cookie expires at the end of the user session when the web browser is closed.
Cookies do not typically contain any information that personally identifies a user, but personal information that we store about you may be linked to the information stored in and obtained from cookies.
Cookies can be used by web servers to identify and track users as they navigate different pages on a website and identify users returning to a website.
Cookies and our website
The pages on this website (the “Website”) are published by Particle Measuring Systems Inc., a subsidiary of Spectris plc., hosted by StablePoint Limited on behalf of Particle Measuring Systems Inc. (“Particle Measuring Systems”, “PMS”, “us”, or “we”). Particle Measuring Systems will not collect any information about individuals, except where it is specifically and knowingly provided by them. You can refuse the use of cookies by following the link at the bottom of the website.
The names and types of the cookies we use are listed at the bottom of this page.
When you visit the Website, our web server collects some basic information such as your internet service provider’s domain name, which pages you accessed on the site, and when. We use this information only to analyze the use of our website to help guide improvements. We do not collect any personally identifiable information. We use cookies to detect what kind of device you have to present content in the best way, for a language switch and/or for other purposes.
If you register for the alert service, you will need to provide your name and email address. This information will be held by us and may be accessed by StablePoint Ltd. for administration of the alert service. The information will not be used for any other purpose and will be stored securely and will not be shared with third parties. By registering for the alerts, you consent to the use of your name and email address.
How to refuse the use of cookies
You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings in your browser. However, if you do this you may lose some useful functionality such as personalization and ‘keep me signed in’ and ‘remember me’ features.
How to delete or disable cookies?
You can set your cookie preferences when you first visit our website. You can give permission to store optional cookies on your computer or mobile devices. Essential, necessary, and functional cookies cannot be refused. If you no longer want this website to store optional cookies on your computer, you can change your cookie preferences here
You can set your cookie preferences when you first visit this website. You can give permission to store optional cookies on your computer or mobile devices. Essential, necessary, and functional cookies cannot be refused. If you no longer want this website to store optional cookies on your computer, you can change your cookie preferences here
You can also change your browser settings on your computer to delete existing cookies and disable the storage of new cookies. The procedure is different for each browser. Consult the help function of your browser if necessary.
Most cookies are only retained for the duration of your visit to the website. Some cookies are stored for longer, but always for a limited period. This means that they automatically expire after a certain length of time and cease to store details of your website visit.
How to disable cookies in your browser
Here’s how to prevent new cookies from being installed and how to delete existing cookies. The exact procedure depends on which browser you are using.
Internet Explorer
To prevent new cookies from being installed and delete existing cookies:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/internet-explorer/delete-manage-cookies
Firefox
To prevent new cookies from being installed:
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/enable-and-disable-cookies-website-preferences
To delete existing cookies:
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/delete-cookies-remove-info-websites-stored
Google Chrome
To prevent new cookies from being installed and delete existing cookies:
https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647?hl=en
Safari
To prevent new cookies from being installed and delete existing cookies:
http://help.apple.com/safari/mac/8.0/#/sfri11471
Cookies in use on our website
The names and types of the cookies we use are:
- Cookies set by Google services (Ads, Analytics, Search, YouTube, etc.) for tracking, authentication, and personalisation.
- ADS_VISITOR_ID – Identifies unique visitors for Google Ads tracking.
- Expiry: 1 year, Category: Performance
- AEC – Ensures user interactions are protected from fraudulent activity.
- Expiry: 6 months, Category: Security
- APISID / SAPISID / SSID / SID / HSID / NID – Used for authentication, security, and storing user preferences across Google services.
- Expiry: 2 years, Category: Strictly Necessary
- SEARCH_SAMESITE – Helps prevent cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks.
- Expiry: 6 months, Category: Security
- SOCS – Stores cookie consent preferences for Google services.
- Expiry: 1 year, Category: Strictly Necessary
- Cookies set by Bing.com and Microsoft services for tracking and personalization.
- BFB / BFBFB / BFBUSR – Used by Bing Ads for advertising and analytics.
- Expiry: 1 year, Category: Marketing
- MSPTC / MUID – Used by Microsoft Advertising (Bing Ads) for tracking ad engagement.
- Expiry: 13 months, Category: Marketing
- SRCHD / SRCHUID / SRCHHPGUSR – Stores search settings and user preferences on Bing.
- Expiry: 1 year, Category: Functional
- _EDGE_S / _SS / _RwBf – Tracks session information for Microsoft services.
- Expiry: Session, Category: Strictly Necessary
- ipv6 – Identifies IPv6-based users for Microsoft services.
- Expiry: Session, Category: Strictly Necessary
- Cookies used by HubSpot, Salesforce, and CRM systems for marketing automation and user tracking.
- BrowserId – Identifies users logging into CRM platforms.
- Expiry: 1 year, Category: Functional
- CookieConsentPolicy – Stores user consent preferences for cookie settings.
- Expiry: 1 year, Category: Strictly Necessary
- LSKey-c$CookieConsentPolicy – Additional consent preference tracking.
- Expiry: 1 year, Category: Strictly Necessary
- Cookies set by Matomo for website analytics and visitor tracking.
- MATOMO_SESSID – Tracks user sessions for Matomo Analytics.
- Expiry: Session, Category: Performance
- _pk_id / _pk_ses – Tracks visitor behavior on the website for analytics.
- Expiry: 13 months, Category: Performance
- Cookies used for WordPress authentication, security, and site preferences.
- wfwaf-authcookie – Used by Wordfence to authenticate and secure WordPress accounts.
- Expiry: 1 day, Category: Security
- wordpress_logged_in – Maintains logged-in user sessions for WordPress.
- Expiry: Session, Category: Strictly Necessary
- wordpress_sec – Stores WordPress authentication session data.
- Expiry: Session, Category: Strictly Necessary
- wordpress_test_cookie – Checks if the browser allows cookies.
- Expiry: Session, Category: Strictly Necessary
- wp-settings / wp-settings-time – Stores user interface preferences for WordPress.
- Expiry: 1 year, Category: Functional
- wp_lang – Stores the language preference for WordPress users.
- Expiry: Session, Category: Functional
- Cookies used for tracking, retargeting, and ad personalisation.
- _gcl_au – Google Ads conversion tracking.
- Expiry: 3 months, Category: Marketing
- _uetvid / _uetsid – Microsoft Advertising tracking cookies.
- Expiry: 1 year, Category: Marketing
- id (doubleclick.net) – Google’s DoubleClick advertising tracking.
- Expiry: 2 years, Category: Marketing
- Cookies used to maintain security and session persistence.
- PHPSESSID – Tracks user sessions (expires when the browser is closed).
- Expiry: Session, Category: Strictly Necessary
- S – Used for Google billing authentication.
- Expiry: Session, Category: Strictly Necessary
- ak_bmsc – Used for bot detection and security on my.site.com.
- Expiry: 30 minutes, Category: Security
- Cookies used for privacy compliance and cookie consent tracking.
- moove_gdpr_popup – Stores GDPR cookie consent preferences.
- Expiry: 1 year, Category: Strictly Necessary
