Cookies Policy

Learn how we use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your learning experience

Last Updated: July 26, 2025

Understanding Our Cookie Usage

This Cookies Policy explains how SkillCourses uses cookies on our online learning platform. We use a very simple approach - just one essential cookie for maintaining your secure login sessions.

We believe in privacy by design and minimal data collection. Unlike many websites, we don't use tracking, analytics, or marketing cookies.

Simple Summary: We use only one cookie called "session_id" to keep you logged in. That's it. No tracking, no analytics, no marketing cookies.

Our Single Cookie

Essential Session Cookie

Required

We use only one essential cookie for maintaining your secure login session. This cookie is necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off.

Cookie Details:

session_idHTTP Cookie

Purpose: Maintains your login session and authentication state

Duration: Session (expires when browser closes)

Security: HttpOnly, Secure, SameSite=Strict

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer, smartphone, or other device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently.

On SkillCourses, we use cookies in a very limited and focused way - only for maintaining your secure login session.

Our cookie is a session cookie:

**Session Cookie:** This is a temporary cookie that is deleted when you close your browser. We use this exclusively for maintaining your login session and ensuring you stay authenticated while using our platform.

2. Why We Use Session Cookies

We use cookies for one specific and essential purpose on our online learning platform:

Authentication and Security

• Maintaining your login session securely

• Ensuring you don't have to log in repeatedly while using the platform

• Protecting your account from unauthorized access

• Enabling secure navigation between different pages and courses

What We Don't Use Cookies For

• We don't track your browsing behavior

• We don't store personal preferences in cookies

• We don't use marketing or advertising cookies

• We don't share cookie data with third parties

3. Our Session ID Cookie

Our only use of cookies is for secure session management, which is essential for your learning experience:

Session ID Cookie Details

• **Name:** session_id

• **Purpose:** Maintains your authenticated session after login

• **Duration:** Session-based (expires when you close your browser)

• **Security:** Encrypted and secured with HttpOnly, Secure, and SameSite=Strict flags

• **Necessity:** Essential for platform functionality - cannot be disabled

How Our Session Cookie Works

• When you log in, we create a unique, encrypted session identifier

• This identifier is stored in a secure cookie on your device

• The cookie allows you to navigate the platform without repeatedly logging in

• The session expires automatically after a period of inactivity for security

• When you log out or close your browser, the session cookie is deleted

Security Measures

• Session cookies are encrypted and cannot be read by other websites

• We use secure transmission (HTTPS) for all cookie data

• Session tokens are regularly rotated for enhanced security

• We implement automatic session timeout for inactive users

• Cookies are set with strict security flags to prevent unauthorized access

4. What We Don't Track

Unlike many websites, SkillCourses has a minimal cookie policy:

No Analytics Cookies

• We don't use Google Analytics or similar tracking services

• We don't track your browsing patterns across our site

• We don't collect data about how you interact with our content

No Marketing Cookies

• We don't use advertising or marketing cookies

• We don't track you across other websites

• We don't create advertising profiles

No Third-Party Cookies

• We don't allow third-party services to set cookies on our domain

• We don't share your session data with external services

• We don't use social media tracking pixels

No Persistent Storage

• We don't store your preferences in cookies

• We don't save your course progress in browser storage

• All user data is stored securely on our servers, not in your browser

5. Your Control Over Cookies

Since we only use one essential session cookie, your control options are limited but clear:

About Our Essential Cookie

• Our session_id cookie is essential for the platform to function

• It cannot be disabled while maintaining login functionality

• You cannot opt-out of this cookie and still use our logged-in features

Your Options

• **Accept:** Use our platform normally with secure session management

• **Browser Settings:** You can block all cookies in your browser, but this will prevent you from logging in

• **Manual Deletion:** You can manually delete the cookie, but you'll be logged out

No Consent Required

• Since our cookie is strictly necessary for the service you requested (login functionality), no consent is required under most privacy laws

• We don't use any optional or non-essential cookies that would require consent

Impact of Blocking Our Cookie

• You will not be able to log in to your account

• You can still browse public content on our website

• You cannot access courses, track progress, or use any account features

6. Security and Data Protection

We implement the highest security standards for our session cookie:

Technical Security Measures

• **HttpOnly Flag:** Prevents JavaScript access to the cookie

• **Secure Flag:** Cookie only sent over HTTPS connections

• **SameSite=Strict:** Prevents cross-site request forgery attacks

• **Encryption:** All session data is encrypted before storage

Session Management Security

• Sessions expire automatically after inactivity

• Session tokens are cryptographically random and unique

• Sessions are invalidated immediately upon logout

• We monitor for suspicious session activity

Data Minimization

• We only store the minimum data necessary (session identifier)

• No personal information is stored in the cookie itself

• Session data is linked to your account on our secure servers

Retention

• Session cookies are automatically deleted when you close your browser

• Server-side session data is deleted when the session expires

• We don't retain any cookie-related data beyond the active session

7. Legal Basis for Cookie Use

Our use of the session cookie is legally justified under privacy regulations:

Strictly Necessary Cookie

• Our session_id cookie is classified as 'strictly necessary' under GDPR and similar laws

• It's essential for providing the service you've explicitly requested (user authentication)

• No consent is required for strictly necessary cookies

Legitimate Interest

• Maintaining secure user sessions is a legitimate business interest

• It protects both your account security and our platform integrity

• This interest is balanced against your privacy rights

Service Provision

• The cookie is necessary to perform our contract with you (providing educational services)

• Without it, we cannot deliver the personalized learning experience you've signed up for

Compliance

• We comply with all applicable privacy laws including GDPR, CCPA, and COPPA

• Our minimal cookie use exceeds the requirements of most privacy regulations

8. Policy Updates

We may update this simple cookies policy if our practices change:

When We Might Update

• If we add any new types of cookies (we'll notify you prominently)

• If legal requirements change regarding cookie disclosure

• If we modify our session management technology

How We'll Notify You

• Email notification if we add any non-essential cookies

• Banner notification on the website for any changes

• Updated 'last modified' date on this policy

Current Commitment

• We commit to maintaining our minimal cookie approach

• Any addition of tracking or marketing cookies would require explicit consent

• We'll always prioritize user privacy over data collection

Managing Our Session Cookie

Browser Settings

You can control our session cookie through your browser:

  • • Block all cookies (you won't be able to log in)
  • • Delete session cookies (you'll be logged out)
  • • View cookie details in browser settings

No Cookie Preferences Needed

Since we only use essential cookies:

  • • No cookie banner or consent popup
  • • No tracking preferences to manage
  • • No opt-out required
  • • Simple and privacy-friendly by design

Questions About Cookies?

If you have questions about our minimal cookie usage or session management, please contact us:

Email: cookies@skillcourses.com

Phone: 1-800-COOKIES (1-800-266-5437)

Address: SkillCourses Data Protection Office, 123 Education Ave, Learning City, LC 12345

By using SkillCourses, you consent to our use of the essential session_id cookie for login functionality. Since this is the only cookie we use and it's necessary for the service, no additional consent or management is required.