Cookie Policy
Last updated: 27 February 2026
This policy explains what cookies this site uses, why, and how you can control them.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device by your browser. They serve various purposes — some are essential for the site to function, others remember your preferences, and some are set by third-party services embedded in the site.
Local storage is a similar browser technology that stores data locally. This site uses local storage for your theme preference.
How to Manage Cookies
You can manage your cookie preferences at any time using the control in the site footer. You can also clear cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling necessary cookies may prevent the site from functioning correctly.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the site to function and cannot be disabled.
| Cookie | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
__cf_bm | Cloudflare | Bot management and security — distinguishes humans from automated traffic | 30 minutes |
__cfruid | Cloudflare | Rate limiting — associates requests with a single visitor | Session |
cf_clearance | Cloudflare | Records that you have passed a Cloudflare security challenge | Up to 24 hours |
| Cookie consent | silentstones.net | Remembers your cookie consent preferences | 1 year |
Functional / Session Cookies
These cookies are set when you log in and are required for authentication. They are only set if you have an account and actively log in.
| Cookie | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
ss_session | silentstones.net | Forum authentication session. httpOnly — cannot be accessed by JavaScript | 72 hours |
Local Storage (Not Cookies)
The following data is stored in your browser's local storage rather than as cookies. It is never transmitted to the server with requests, but is listed here for full transparency.
| Key | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Theme preference | Remembers your light/dark mode selection | Until cleared |
Third-Party Cookies (Consent Required)
These cookies are only set if you give explicit consent via the cookie banner. If you decline, no third-party cookies are set and embedded video content is replaced with a placeholder.
| Cookie | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Various | YouTube (Google) | Set when you interact with embedded YouTube videos, even in privacy-enhanced mode (youtube-nocookie.com). Used by YouTube for tracking, preferences, and analytics. | Varies |
Third-Party Requests (Not Cookies)
The following services may receive requests from your browser when you visit the site. They do not set cookies, but may log request data including your IP address.
| Service | Purpose | What They May Log |
|---|---|---|
| Google Fonts | Loads typefaces (Cormorant Garamond, Inter) | IP address, browser/OS info, referring URL |
| DiceBear | Generates default avatars for users without profile pictures | IP address, request data |
See the Privacy Policy for links to each service's own privacy policy.
Updates
This cookie policy may be updated if the site adds or removes features that affect cookie usage. The date at the top will reflect the latest revision.
Contact
Questions? Use the contact form.