Information about cookies
What are cookies?
A cookie is a text-only string of information that a website transfers to the cookie file of the browser on your computer's hard disk so that the website can remember who you are. A cookie will typically contain the name of the domain from which the cookie has come, the "lifetime" of the cookie, and a value, usually a randomly generated unique number.
Recent legislation and guidance on cookies
The law concerning cookies and similar technologies for storing information on a user's equipment such as their computer or mobile device was changed on 26 May 2011. This new ICO legislation came into effect in the UK on 26 May 2012.
In light of the new legislation we have made some changes to our website. In the meantime if you would like further information on how we use cookies please email us.
How we use cookies
Cookies are used on the Natural History Museum "NHM" website, "the Site" and other key affiliated sites as follows.
Cookies
| Cookie name | Purpose | More information |
| __utma, __utmb, __utmc, __utmz | Used to collect information about how visitors use the Site. We use the information to compile reports and to make improvements. The cookies collect information in an anonymous form. | Google analytics cookies are used across the whole NHM domain. http://www.google.com/analytics/learn/privacy.html |
| nhm.sso.loggedIn, CASTGC, JSESSIONID | Necessary to manage the Site Single Sign On user login system. | NHM's Single Sign On cookies are used across the Site where users can be logged on. |
| jive.user.loggedIn, jive.server.info | Core part of NaturePlus community functionality to manage registered users. | NaturePlus cookies are used within the NaturePlus community section. |
| datr | Used to track Facebook login status, for sharing content to Facebook. | These cookies are used when a Facebook 'like' button is embedded into a page. |
| twll, k, k (r_twing.com), pid, original_referer, _twitter_sess | Multiple cookies used by Twitter services, to monitor referral links, and login status. | These are used where the 'Tweet this' button or other Twitter widgets are present on the website. https://twitter.com/privacy |
| PREF | Stores Google Search preferences | Used across the whole Site to support the internal search functionality. |
| jive.recentHistory.-1, jive.recentHistory.{userid} | Stores browsed NaturePlus content identifiers, creates one cookie for all non-logged in users and individual cookies for logged in users | Used within the NaturePlus section |
| JSESSIONID | Stores basket and login information to enable effective online transactions | Used within the Buy Online section http://www.nhmshop.co.uk |
| BROWSERSESSION, Coyote-2-d04dd0ad | Stores basket and login information to enable effective online transactions | Used within the Prints on Demand section http://prints.nhmshop.co.uk |
| NaturalHistoryMuseum, cookieaddposition, cookieconfirmpopup, cookieshowfixed, cookielbcart, cookielbfixedoptions, cookieminmax, lastsearch | Used to store information relating to items in the basket or lightbox, recent searches, and login information. | Used within the Picture Library section http://piclib.nhm.ac.uk/ |
| .ASPXFORMSAUTH, ASP.NET_SessionId | Session cookies to manage logged in users. | Used within our recruitment portal http://nhm.irecruittotal.com |
| wpy2010, wpy2011 | Used to record a user vote for a competition entry for the Wildlife Photographer of the year competition. | Found within the Wildlife Photographer of the Year section http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/temporary-exhibitions/wpy/ |
| Archive.Catalog.Search | Stores search history for library catalogue. | Only used within the library section at http://www.nhm.ac.uk/research-curation/library/archives/catalogue/ |
| site-version | Records user selection of viewing device preference (mobile or desktop) | Used across the website when a user chooses to view in either 'desktop' or 'mobile' mode. |
Session cookies
Session cookies are used throughout different parts of the Site. These cookies are essential to provide dynamic functionality; no private data is stored and they are cleared at the end of the visitor session.
Social media cookies
Various third party services may use cookies for embedded media such as YouTube videos, or Flickr images, or social media sharing services, such as Facebook and Twitter links. We are continuing to investigate how this affects our users privacy and will be making future changes to further improve how we use these services.
Partner and affiliated websites
The Museum hosts a number of additional websites on other domains. We are continuing to review these to assess impacts on your privacy. Please check the individual websites for more information.
You have the ability to accept or decline cookies by modifying the settings in your browser. However, you may not be able to use all the interactive features of the Site if cookies are disabled. If you want to find out more about how to disable cookies please see this external third party website:
http://www.allaboutcookies.org/manage-cookies/
Last updated: 24 May 2012
Toolbox
Share this
Contact us
Natural History MuseumCromwell Road
London
SW7 5BD
UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 5000