Cookies
Cookie Policy
Last Updated: April 30, 2025
This page explains how cookies and similar technologies are used on this site. By continuing to browse or use the site, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this policy.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device by your web browser at the request of the website you visit. They allow the site to remember information about you, such as your preferences, login status, or actions you have taken.
Cookies may be stored only for the duration of your browsing session or for a longer period. Cookies set by this site cannot be accessed by other websites, and cookies set by third parties cannot be accessed by us.
2. How We Use Cookies
This site uses cookies and browser local storage for several purposes, including:
- Account registration and login – Keeping you logged in and maintaining session security.
- Saving your preferences – Remembering your chosen language, theme, or display settings.
- Security and spam prevention – Including hCaptcha and Cloudflare services.
- Analytics – Anonymous statistics to understand how visitors use the forum and improve performance.
- Advertising (if applicable) – Advertisers may set cookies to limit ad frequency or measure ad views.
- Embedded content – Cookies may be set by third-party media or social sites when you view embedded content.
Many of these cookies are essential for the site to function correctly, while others are optional and provide enhanced features.
3. XenForo Platform Cookies and Local Storage
The following cookies and local storage items may be set by this forum software (XenForo):
Essential Cookies (cannot be disabled)
- xf___crossTab – Cross-tab communication and CSRF token storage.
- xf_cacheKey – Stores cache key for offline storage.
- xf_consent – Stores your cookie consent preferences.
- xf_csrf – CSRF protection for secure form submissions.
- xf_dbWriteForced – Ensures database write server usage when necessary.
- xf_editorDisabled – Remembers whether the rich text editor is disabled.
- fr-copied-html / fr-copied-text – Stores copied editor content.
- xf_guestUsername – Stores the guest username for posting.
- xf_inline_mod_* – Stores inline moderation selections.
- xf_language_id – Remembers your selected language.
- xf_lbSidebarDisabled – Stores lightbox sidebar preferences.
- xf_ls – Backup storage when browser local storage isn’t available.
- xf_multiQuote* – Stores multi-quote selections.
- xf_notice_dismiss – Tracks which notices you've dismissed.
- xf_push_history_user_ids – Records push notification enrollment.
- xf_push_notice_dismiss – Tracks push notice dismissal.
- xf_push_subscription_updated – Tracks push notification updates.
- xf_session – Identifies your session.
- xf_style_id – Saves your selected style/theme.
- xf_tfa_trust – Trusted device cookie for two-step verification.
- xf_toggle – Saves UI toggle states.
- xf_user – “Remember me” login token.
- xf_visitorCounts – Tracks unread messages and alerts.
Optional Cookies
- xf_emoji_usage – Stores recently used emojis.
4. Third-Party Cookies and Services
Some pages may include embedded content or security features that rely on third-party cookies. These cookies are controlled by the third party and not by this site.
Common third-party services used on this site may include:
- hCaptcha (security and bot detection)
- YouTube
- Vimeo
- Imgur
- Spotify
- SoundCloud
- X (Twitter)
- Bluesky
- TikTok
- Tumblr
- Twitch
- Giphy
- Apple Music
- Dailymotion
These providers may collect usage data when embedded content is viewed or interacted with, according to their own privacy policies.
5. Use of Cloudflare
We use Cloudflare to provide security, DDoS protection, caching, and performance optimization. Cloudflare acts as an intermediary between visitors and our server and may process certain technical data automatically, including:
- IP addresses
- Browser and device information
- Traffic logs for security and performance
- Request headers and other connection metadata
Cloudflare may also set its own cookies or other identifiers to deliver services such as bot mitigation and load balancing. Cloudflare’s processing of data is governed by its own privacy policy and terms of service.
6. Additional Cookies
During normal use of the site, additional cookies or local storage items may be set to remember temporary information, support active tasks, or store interface preferences.
7. How to Disable or Remove Cookies
You can manage or delete cookies through your browser’s settings. Disabling essential cookies may prevent the site from functioning correctly.
Guides for common browsers:
For additional guidance on cookies and privacy, you may wish to visit reputable resources such as the UK ICO’s website.
8. Contact
If you have questions about this Cookie Policy, please contact us.
Standard cookies we set
| Name | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Essential cookies | |
| These cookies are required to enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. You may not reject these. | |
| xf___crossTab | This local storage item is used to store information used to communicate across tabs, such as the current cross-site request forgery token. |
| xf_cacheKey | This local storage item is used to store the cache key used for offline storage items. |
| xf_consent | This cookie is used to store a user's cookie consent preferences. |
| xf_csrf | This cookie is used to store a user's cross-site request forgery token, preventing other applications from making malicious requests on the user's behalf. |
| xf_dbWriteForced | This cookie is used to indicate that the request should be completed using the database write server. |
| xf_editorDisabled | This local storage item is used to store whether or not a user has the rich text editor enabled. |
| fr-copied-html | This local storage item is used to store a user's copied rich text when pasting into the text editor. |
| fr-copied-text | This local storage item is used to store a user's copied plain text when pasting into the text editor. |
| xf_guestUsername | This local storage item is used to store a guest user's username. |
| xf_inline_mod_* | These cookies are used to store a user's currently selected inline moderation items. |
| xf_language_id | This cookie is used to store a user's selected language. |
| xf_lbSidebarDisabled | This local storage item is used to store whether or not a user has toggled the lightbox sidebar. |
| xf_ls | This cookie is used to store a user's local storage contents in the event their browser does not support the native local storage mechanism. |
| xf_multiQuote* | These local storage items are used to store a user's multi-quote selections. |
| xf_notice_dismiss | This cookie is used to store a user's dismissed notices. |
| xf_push_history_user_ids | This local storage item is used to store which users on this device have enabled push notifications. |
| xf_push_notice_dismiss | This cookie is used to determine whether or not a user has dismissed the push notification notice. |
| xf_push_subscription_updated | This cookie is used to determine if a user's push subscription preferences have been updated. |
| xf_session | This cookie is used to store a user's session identifier. |
| xf_style_id | This cookie is used to store a user's selected style. |
| xf_tfa_trust | This cookie is used to determine if a user has previously chosen to trust this device without requiring further two-step verification for a period of time. |
| xf_toggle | This cookie and local storage item are used to store a user's preferences for toggling various controls open or closed. |
| xf_user | This cookie is used to store a user's "remember me" token, allowing their credentials to persist across multiple sessions. |
| xf_visitorCounts | This local storage item is used to store counts of a user's unread direct messages and alerts. |
| Optional cookies | |
| We deliver enhanced functionality for your browsing experience by setting these cookies. If you reject them, enhanced functionality will be unavailable. | |
| xf_emoji_usage | This cookie is used to store which emojis a user has recently used when composing a message. |
| Third-party cookies | |
| Cookies set by third parties may be required to power functionality in conjunction with various service providers for security, analytics, performance or advertising purposes. | |
| Apple Music | These cookies are set by Apple Music, and may be used for displaying embedded content. |
| Bluesky | These cookies are set by Bluesky, and may be used for displaying embedded content. |
| Dailymotion | These cookies are set by Dailymotion, and may be used for displaying embedded content. |
| These cookies are set by Facebook, and may be used for displaying embedded content. | |
| Flickr | These cookies are set by Flickr, and may be used for displaying embedded content. |
| Giphy | These cookies are set by Giphy, and may be used for displaying embedded content. |
| HCaptcha | These cookies are set by HCaptcha, and may be used for verifying legitimate traffic. |
| Imgur | These cookies are set by Imgur, and may be used for displaying embedded content. |
| These cookies are set by Instagram, and may be used for displaying embedded content. | |
| Meta | These cookies are set by Meta, and may be used for displaying embedded content. |
| These cookies are set by Pinterest, and may be used for displaying embedded content. | |
| These cookies are set by Reddit, and may be used for displaying embedded content. | |
| SoundCloud | These cookies are set by SoundCloud, and may be used for displaying embedded content. |
| Spotify | These cookies are set by Spotify, and may be used for displaying embedded content. |
| TikTok | These cookies are set by TikTok, and may be used for displaying embedded content. |
| Tumblr | These cookies are set by Tumblr, and may be used for displaying embedded content. |
| Twitch | These cookies are set by Twitch, and may be used for displaying embedded content. |
| Vimeo | These cookies are set by Vimeo, and may be used for displaying embedded content. |
| X | These cookies are set by X, and may be used for displaying embedded content. |
| YouTube | These cookies are set by YouTube, and may be used for analytics, verifying legitimate traffic, or other embedded content. |