Cookie Policy v2.0
It applies from 03.11.2025

1. PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This Cookie Policy explains how Hub Hosting (“we”, “our”, “us”) uses cookies and similar technologies on its websites, client portals, and associated online services. It complies with the EU ePrivacy Directive (2002/58/EC), the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR – EU 2016/679), and the Data Protection Act 2018 (Ireland). It applies to all users accessing our public websites, client areas, or hosted interfaces such as cPanel, WHM, and WHMCS.

2. WHAT ARE COOKIES
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when visiting a website. They help manage secure sessions, remember preferences, analyze performance, and enhance usability.

3. TYPES OF COOKIES WE USE

3.1 ESSENTIAL TECHNICAL COOKIES
These cookies are required for authentication, session integrity, and secure access. They are automatically enabled and do not require user consent.
• cPanel / WHM: ‘cp_security_token’, ‘locale’, ’roundcube_sessid’ – maintain secure login sessions and language preferences.
• WHMCS: ‘PHPSESSID’, ‘token’, ‘cart’, ‘WHMCSUID’, ‘WHMCSPW’ – provide secure authentication, checkout sessions, and optional ‘remember me’ functionality.
• Imunify360: ‘imunify360_antibot’ – verifies user authenticity and prevents repeated Anti-Bot challenges (valid for 24h).

3.2 FUNCTIONAL COOKIES
Functional cookies remember preferences such as interface language or login convenience. Example: the WHMCS ‘Remember Me’ cookie stores an encrypted user ID for 12 months.

3.3 ANALYTICAL & PERFORMANCE COOKIES (GOOGLE ANALYTICS 4)
We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to collect anonymised, aggregated data on website usage and performance. These cookies help us understand site interactions and improve user experience. They are not essential and are only activated after explicit consent via the cookie banner.
• _ga – Distinguishes anonymous unique users (2 years)
• _gid – Tracks user sessions (24 hours)
• _gat – Throttles request rates (1 minute)
Provider: Google LLC – Data stored within EU data regions.
Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR)
Note: IP addresses are anonymised; no personal data (names, emails, IPs) is retained.

3.4 SECURITY AND BOT PROTECTION COOKIES (GOOGLE reCAPTCHA)
Hub Hosting uses Google reCAPTCHA (provided by Google LLC) to protect forms on our website from automated abuse, spam, and malicious bots. reCAPTCHA may set cookies and collect limited interaction data to verify that a request is made by a human user.
Data processed may include:
• IP address
• Browser and device information
• Mouse movements and interaction timestamps
Purpose: To ensure security and integrity of our online forms.
Legal Basis: Legitimate Interest (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR) – prevention of abuse and fraud.
Provider: Google LLC, United States (data processed under EU Standard Contractual Clauses).
For more information, please visit:
https://policies.google.com/privacy
https://policies.google.com/privacy
https://policies.google.com/terms

3.5 THIRD-PARTY & AFFILIATE COOKIES
If you interact with payment gateways or referral links, third-party cookies (e.g., Stripe or affiliate tracking) may be set. These require prior user consent and are subject to the privacy and cookie policies of each third-party provider.

4. LEGAL BASIS FOR COOKIE USE
Under Article 6 of the GDPR:
• Legitimate interest – for essential cookies related to security and authentication.
• Consent – for optional, analytics, or third-party cookies.

5. MANAGING AND DISABLING COOKIES
You can manage or withdraw consent at any time through our Cookie Consent Manager or your browser settings. Disabling essential cookies may limit functionality in client portals or control panels.

6. DATA RETENTION AND SECURITY
All cookies automatically expire upon logout or after their defined lifetime. Cookie data remains within the European Economic Area (EEA) and is protected through appropriate technical and organizational security measures aligned with the principles of ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and the NIS2 Directive. Hub Hosting is not formally certified under ISO or SOC schemes but maintains equivalent data protection and security practices consistent with EU standards.

7. UPDATES TO THIS POLICY
This Cookie Policy is reviewed annually and updated to reflect legal, technical, or operational changes. Any revisions will be published with a new version identifier and effective date on Hub Hosting’s official website.

8. CONTACT INFORMATION
For questions regarding this Cookie Policy, please contact:
Hub Hosting Legal & Compliance Department
Email: legal@hub-hosting.com
Cork, Ireland

Additional information about turning off cookies
There are currently several websites to disable the storage of cookies for different services. You can get more information at the following links:
www.allaboutcookies.org
www.youronlinechoices.eu
www.aboutads.info/choices