Cookie usage

This page discusses how cookies are used by this site. If you continue to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.

What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your computer by your web browser at the request of a site you're viewing. This allows the site you're viewing to remember things about you, such as your preferences and history or to keep you logged in.

Cookies may be stored on your computer for a short time (such as only while your browser is open) or for an extended period of time, even years. Cookies not set by this site will not be accessible to us.

Our cookie usage

This site uses cookies for numerous things, including:

  • Registration and maintaining your preferences. This includes ensuring that you can stay logged in and keeping the site in the language or appearance that you requested.
  • Analytics. This allows us to determine how people are using the site and improve it.
  • Advertising cookies (possibly third-party). If this site displays advertising, cookies may be set by the advertisers to determine who has viewed an ad or similar things. These cookies may be set by third parties, in which case this site has no ability to read or write these cookies.
  • Other third-party cookies for things like Facebook or Twitter sharing. These cookies will generally be set by the third-party independently, so this site will have no ability to access them.

Standard cookies we set

These are the main cookies we set during normal operation of the software.

  • xf_csrf
    • Stores a token, unique to you, which is used to verify that the actions you perform on this site were intended to be performed by you.
  • xf_session
    • Stores the current ID of your session.
  • xf_user
    • Stores a key, unique to you, which allows us to keep you logged in to the software as you navigate from page to page.

Additional cookies and those set by third parties

Additional cookies may be set during the use of the site to remember information as certain actions are being performed, or remembering certain preferences.

Other cookies may be set by third party service providers which may provide information such as tracking anonymously which users are visiting the site, or set by content embedded into some pages, such as YouTube or other media service providers.

Removing/disabling cookies

Managing your cookies and cookie preferences must be done from within your browser's options/preferences. Here is a list of guides on how to do this for popular browser software:

More information about cookies

To learn more about cookies, and find more information about blocking certain types of cookies, please visit the ICO website Cookies page.

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 write-only database 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 conversations 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.
xf_from_search This cookie is used to track when a user has arrived on the site from a search engine.
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.
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Apple Music These cookies are set by Apple Music, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
cookie_consent.third_party_label_applepodcasts cookie_consent.third_party_description_applepodcasts
cookie_consent.third_party_label_audioboom cookie_consent.third_party_description_audioboom
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cookie_consent.third_party_label_bandcamp cookie_consent.third_party_description_bandcamp
cookie_consent.third_party_label_bbcnews cookie_consent.third_party_description_bbcnews
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cookie_consent.third_party_label_brightcove cookie_consent.third_party_description_brightcove
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cookie_consent.third_party_label_captivate cookie_consent.third_party_description_captivate
cookie_consent.third_party_label_castos cookie_consent.third_party_description_castos
cookie_consent.third_party_label_cbsnews cookie_consent.third_party_description_cbsnews
cookie_consent.third_party_label_clyp cookie_consent.third_party_description_clyp
cookie_consent.third_party_label_cnbc cookie_consent.third_party_description_cnbc
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Dailymotion These cookies are set by Dailymotion, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
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Facebook These cookies are set by Facebook, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
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Flickr These cookies are set by Flickr, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
cookie_consent.third_party_label_foxnews cookie_consent.third_party_description_foxnews
cookie_consent.third_party_label_funnyordie cookie_consent.third_party_description_funnyordie
cookie_consent.third_party_label_gamespot cookie_consent.third_party_description_gamespot
cookie_consent.third_party_label_getty cookie_consent.third_party_description_getty
cookie_consent.third_party_label_gifs cookie_consent.third_party_description_gifs
Giphy These cookies are set by Giphy, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
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cookie_consent.third_party_label_globalnews cookie_consent.third_party_description_globalnews
cookie_consent.third_party_label_gofundme cookie_consent.third_party_description_gofundme
cookie_consent.third_party_label_google cookie_consent.third_party_description_google
Google reCAPTCHA These cookies are set by Google reCAPTCHA, and may be used for verifying legitimate traffic.
cookie_consent.third_party_label_hudl cookie_consent.third_party_description_hudl
cookie_consent.third_party_label_hulu cookie_consent.third_party_description_hulu
cookie_consent.third_party_label_ign cookie_consent.third_party_description_ign
cookie_consent.third_party_label_imdb cookie_consent.third_party_description_imdb
Imgur These cookies are set by Imgur, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
cookie_consent.third_party_label_indiegogo cookie_consent.third_party_description_indiegogo
Instagram These cookies are set by Instagram, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
cookie_consent.third_party_label_internetarchive cookie_consent.third_party_description_internetarchive
cookie_consent.third_party_label_izlesene cookie_consent.third_party_description_izlesene
cookie_consent.third_party_label_jsfiddle cookie_consent.third_party_description_jsfiddle
cookie_consent.third_party_label_jwplatform cookie_consent.third_party_description_jwplatform
cookie_consent.third_party_label_kaltura cookie_consent.third_party_description_kaltura
cookie_consent.third_party_label_khl cookie_consent.third_party_description_khl
cookie_consent.third_party_label_kickstarter cookie_consent.third_party_description_kickstarter
cookie_consent.third_party_label_libsyn cookie_consent.third_party_description_libsyn
cookie_consent.third_party_label_liveleak cookie_consent.third_party_description_liveleak
cookie_consent.third_party_label_livestream cookie_consent.third_party_description_livestream
cookie_consent.third_party_label_mailru cookie_consent.third_party_description_mailru
cookie_consent.third_party_label_mastodon cookie_consent.third_party_description_mastodon
cookie_consent.third_party_label_medium cookie_consent.third_party_description_medium
cookie_consent.third_party_label_megaphone cookie_consent.third_party_description_megaphone
Meta These cookies are set by Meta, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
cookie_consent.third_party_label_metacafe cookie_consent.third_party_description_metacafe
cookie_consent.third_party_label_mixcloud cookie_consent.third_party_description_mixcloud
cookie_consent.third_party_label_mlb cookie_consent.third_party_description_mlb
cookie_consent.third_party_label_mrctv cookie_consent.third_party_description_mrctv
cookie_consent.third_party_label_msnbc cookie_consent.third_party_description_msnbc
cookie_consent.third_party_label_natgeochannel cookie_consent.third_party_description_natgeochannel
cookie_consent.third_party_label_natgeovideo cookie_consent.third_party_description_natgeovideo
cookie_consent.third_party_label_nbcnews cookie_consent.third_party_description_nbcnews
cookie_consent.third_party_label_nhl cookie_consent.third_party_description_nhl
cookie_consent.third_party_label_npr cookie_consent.third_party_description_npr
cookie_consent.third_party_label_nytimes cookie_consent.third_party_description_nytimes
cookie_consent.third_party_label_odysee cookie_consent.third_party_description_odysee
cookie_consent.third_party_label_orfium cookie_consent.third_party_description_orfium
cookie_consent.third_party_label_pastebin cookie_consent.third_party_description_pastebin
Pinterest These cookies are set by Pinterest, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
cookie_consent.third_party_label_podbean cookie_consent.third_party_description_podbean
cookie_consent.third_party_label_prezi cookie_consent.third_party_description_prezi
Reddit These cookies are set by Reddit, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
cookie_consent.third_party_label_rumble cookie_consent.third_party_description_rumble
cookie_consent.third_party_label_rutube cookie_consent.third_party_description_rutube
cookie_consent.third_party_label_scribd cookie_consent.third_party_description_scribd
cookie_consent.third_party_label_sendvid cookie_consent.third_party_description_sendvid
cookie_consent.third_party_label_slideshare cookie_consent.third_party_description_slideshare
SoundCloud These cookies are set by SoundCloud, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
cookie_consent.third_party_label_sporcle cookie_consent.third_party_description_sporcle
cookie_consent.third_party_label_sportsnet cookie_consent.third_party_description_sportsnet
Spotify These cookies are set by Spotify, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
cookie_consent.third_party_label_spreaker cookie_consent.third_party_description_spreaker
cookie_consent.third_party_label_steamstore cookie_consent.third_party_description_steamstore
cookie_consent.third_party_label_strawpoll cookie_consent.third_party_description_strawpoll
cookie_consent.third_party_label_streamable cookie_consent.third_party_description_streamable
Stripe These cookies are set by Stripe, and may be used for processing payments.
cookie_consent.third_party_label_teamcoco cookie_consent.third_party_description_teamcoco
cookie_consent.third_party_label_ted cookie_consent.third_party_description_ted
cookie_consent.third_party_label_telegram cookie_consent.third_party_description_telegram
cookie_consent.third_party_label_theatlantic cookie_consent.third_party_description_theatlantic
cookie_consent.third_party_label_theguardian cookie_consent.third_party_description_theguardian
cookie_consent.third_party_label_theonion cookie_consent.third_party_description_theonion
TikTok These cookies are set by TikTok, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
cookie_consent.third_party_label_tmz cookie_consent.third_party_description_tmz
cookie_consent.third_party_label_tradingview cookie_consent.third_party_description_tradingview
cookie_consent.third_party_label_traileraddict cookie_consent.third_party_description_traileraddict
cookie_consent.third_party_label_trendingviews cookie_consent.third_party_description_trendingviews
Tumblr These cookies are set by Tumblr, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
cookie_consent.third_party_label_twentyfoursevensports cookie_consent.third_party_description_twentyfoursevensports
Twitch These cookies are set by Twitch, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
Twitter These cookies are set by Twitter, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
cookie_consent.third_party_label_ustream cookie_consent.third_party_description_ustream
cookie_consent.third_party_label_vbox7 cookie_consent.third_party_description_vbox7
cookie_consent.third_party_label_veoh cookie_consent.third_party_description_veoh
cookie_consent.third_party_label_vevo cookie_consent.third_party_description_vevo
cookie_consent.third_party_label_videodetective cookie_consent.third_party_description_videodetective
Vimeo These cookies are set by Vimeo, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
cookie_consent.third_party_label_vine cookie_consent.third_party_description_vine
cookie_consent.third_party_label_vk cookie_consent.third_party_description_vk
cookie_consent.third_party_label_vocaroo cookie_consent.third_party_description_vocaroo
cookie_consent.third_party_label_vox cookie_consent.third_party_description_vox
cookie_consent.third_party_label_washingtonpost cookie_consent.third_party_description_washingtonpost
cookie_consent.third_party_label_wavekit cookie_consent.third_party_description_wavekit
cookie_consent.third_party_label_wistia cookie_consent.third_party_description_wistia
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cookie_consent.third_party_label_wsj cookie_consent.third_party_description_wsj
cookie_consent.third_party_label_xboxclips cookie_consent.third_party_description_xboxclips
cookie_consent.third_party_label_xboxdvr cookie_consent.third_party_description_xboxdvr
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cookie_consent.third_party_label_youku cookie_consent.third_party_description_youku
cookie_consent.third_party_label_youmaker cookie_consent.third_party_description_youmaker
YouTube These cookies are set by YouTube, and may be used for analytics, verifying legitimate traffic, or other embedded content.
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