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PRIVACY POLICY
GENERAL MATTERS
Overview
At APANSoftware, protecting our users' privacy and security is a top priority. For
this reason, we have adopted the following policy to advise you of your choices
regarding the use of your personal information online. This policy describes what
types of information we gather about you, how we use it, under what circumstances
we disclose it to third-parties, and your rights to update or correct it.
Scope of Policy
This Policy applies to APANSoftware. It does not apply to other companies' or organizations'
web sites to which we link. You should carefully review the privacy policies of
those web sites in order to determine how they treat your personal information.
INFORMATION ABOUT YOU
Information Gathered From All Visitors
Aggregate Data
We gather certain generic information with respect to customers' use of our web
site, such as the number of unique visitors, the frequency with which they visit,
and the areas on the web site that they favor. These statistics are very much like
television ratings that tell the networks how many people tuned in to a program.
We only use this type of data in aggregate-that is, we look at the data on a collective
basis, in summary form, rather than on an individual basis. This data helps us determine
the extent to which our customers use certain parts of our web site, which, in turn,
enables us to make it as appealing as possible. We may also provide statistical
"ratings" about how our customers collectively use our web site to advertisers,
sponsors, and other companies with which we do business ("Business Partners"). We
do this so they, too, can understand how often people use their areas of the site
in order for them to provide you with the best possible experience. These statistical
ratings do not contain any personally identifiable information about you or any
of our users.
Cookies
We use a technology nicknamed "cookies" on our web site. Cookies are pieces of information
or data sent to your browser from a web server and stored on your computer's hard
drive for record-keeping purposes. We use cookies to make your visit to our web
site easier. For example, cookies allow us to recognize you when you re-enter our
web site so that you will not have to sign-in each time you visit. Cookies also
allow us to count the number of unique and return visitors who use our site. Most
browsers are initially set up to accept cookies. If you prefer, you can reset your
browser to notify you when you've received a cookie or, alternatively, to refuse
to accept cookies. Cookies can also enable us to track and target the interests
of our users to enhance their experience on our site.
Third Party Advertiser Cookies
We use third-party advertising companies to serve our ads on the Internet. These
third-party advertising companies employ cookie and Clear Gif technology (aka 1x1
Pixel .gifs, Web bugs) to measure and improve the effectiveness of ads for their
clients. To do so, these companies may use anonymous information about your visits
to our Web site and other Web sites. This information can include: date/time of
banner ad shown, the banner ad that was shown, their cookie, the IP address. This
information can also be used for online preference marketing purposes. APANSoftware
does not use or have access to this information.
IP Addresses
We collect and analyze traffic on our web site by keeping track of the IP addresses
of our visitors. IP addresses are unique numeric identifiers that are assigned to
each computer browser accessing the Internet. An IP address, by itself, cannot identify
you personally. However, when combined with other information provided by your Internet
Service Provider (ISP), your IP address can be used to identify the computer originating
a message.
Order Fulfillment
From time to time, you may be given the opportunity to order products and services
directly on the APANSoftware site, the Newsletters, or in other communications you
may receive from APANSoftware. These orders are typically fulfilled by APANSoftware's
Business Partners directly. To process your order, APANSoftware may provide these
Partners with your name, street address, e-mail address, phone number, and credit
card information. APANSoftware will limit the types of information shared to the
minimum necessary to efficiently process your order. However, in accepting these
offers, you become a customer of the Business Partner and therefore subject to its
privacy policy. APANSoftware will alert users whenever a Business Partner will be
fulfilling an order for products or services ordered on our site. We encourage you
to review these companies' privacy policies and only do business with those who
adhere to personal information practices with which you are comfortable.
Disclosure Exceptions
Notwithstanding the above policies, we reserve the right to disclose your personal
information to appropriate third-parties if we are required to do so by law or we
believe that such action is necessary:
- To comply with legal process such as a search warrant, subpoena or court order;
- To protect the company's rights and property;
- To investigate reports of users sending material using a false e-mail address or
users sending harassing, threatening, or abusive messages;
- To protect against misuse or unauthorized use of our web site and/or the APANSoftware
service; or
During emergencies, such as when we believe someone's physical safety is at risk.
Your IP address can be accessed by greetings
recipients in the header of the notification e-mail. Under certain circumstances,
recipients, their legal representatives, and/or law enforcement authorities may
be able to combine this with information disclosed by ISPs to determine the source
of a particular communication. By using this service, you knowingly and voluntarily
assume any risks associated with such disclosure.
Sale of Assets
In the event that APANSoftware and/or its units or subsidiaries are ever sold, acquired,
merged, liquidated, reorganized, or otherwise transferred, we reserve the right
to transfer our user databases together with any personally identifiable information
contained therein, to a third-party acquiring APANSoftware's assets. In the event
we do so, we will place a prominent notice of the sale on the homepage of our site,
with links to information as to how you can change your privacy preferences.
Data Security
When you place orders for purchased products or access your payment information,
it is processed using PayPal.com as a payment
processor. PayPal uses an advanced encryption technology known as Secure Socket
Layer (SSL) to protect the storage and transfer of your data from unauthorized parties and is one of the most trusted online payment processors in the world.
In addition to our online security efforts, we take steps to protect your personal
data offline, as well. All of your information, not just the sensitive information
mentioned above, is restricted in our offices. Employees are granted access on a
need-to-know basis (for example, our billing clerk or a customer service representative).
Furthermore, ALL employees are kept up-to-date on our security and privacy practices.
Finally, the servers on which we store personally identifiable information are kept
in a secure environment, behind a locked cage.
APANSoftware's main servers are operated from a dedicated Internet hosting facility
with state-of-the-art physical security features, including smoke detection and
fire suppression systems, motion sensors, and 24x7 secured access, as well as video
camera surveillance and security breach alarms. If you have any questions about
the security at our website, you can send an email to
Customer Service.
Changes to the Privacy Policy
APANSoftware will occasionally update this Privacy Policy in response to changing
business circumstances and legal developments. When APANSoftware posts changes to
this Policy, you will see the word "updated" next to the Privacy Policy link on
the front page of APANSoftware Sites. If there are material changes to this Policy
or in how APANSoftware uses your personally identifiable information, APANSoftware
will prominently post such changes prior to implementing the change. APANSoftware
encourages you to periodically review this Policy to be informed of how we are protecting
your information.
USE COMMON SENSE IN ALL YOUR ONLINE ACTIVITIES
Even the best policy can't protect your online privacy and security in all circumstances.
Unscrupulous advertisers, hackers, and scam artists are constantly searching the
Internet looking for new targets. Your best protection is to understand the limits
to privacy on the Internet and use common sense in all of your on-line activities.
Be aware that e-mail is an inherently insecure form of communication. Remember that
third parties are sometimes able to illegally intercept your unencrypted messages,
including online greetings. Anytime you visit a chat room or post a message to an
on-line bulletin board, your e-mail address can be accessed by advertisers looking
to compile lists for unsolicited commercial e-mail (also known as spam). Be sure
that you only disclose your e-mail address in circumstances in which it is safe
to do so.
Beware of scams in which persons unknown to you request your screen name, password,
or credit card information. Make sure you verify the identity of anyone asking for
personal information. Always monitor your children's on-line activities and educate
them as to the rules for safe Internet use.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at
APANSoftware Customer
Support.
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