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Privacy Policy
Fierce Host has a long-standing policy of protecting customer privacy.
We believe that you should know what information we collect from you, as
well as how that information is used, disclosed and protected. We have
created this policy statement (the "Policy") to explain our privacy
practices and policies.
Fierce Host uses e-mail, short text messages, instant messaging,
telemarketing and direct mail to inform you about products or services we
think will interest you. If you do not wish to receive these types of
communications, please send an email to dunning@fiercehost.com
FIERCE HOST PRIVACY POLICY
We have created the Fierce Host Privacy Policy (the "Policy") to explain our
privacy practices. When you use any Fierce Host product or service, you
should understand when and how personal information is collected, used,
disclosed and protected.
We will not sell or disclose information to third parties without your
consent or as otherwise provided in this Policy. However, to provide you
better service and enrich your user experience when you sign up or use any
of our products or services we may use information about who you are, where
and when you browse on the Web, and how you use our network, or other
information as described in this Policy.
Fierce Host will revise and update this Policy if our practices change or if
changes in the law so require.
Information collected about you.
We collect a variety of personal information about users of our products or
services. Personal information is information that can be directly
associated with a specific person or entity such as a name, address,
telephone number, e-mail address, screen name, or information about
activities directly linked to that person.
Fierce Host recognizes that parents often purchase our products and services
for family use, including for use by minors. Any information collected from
such usage will appear to be the personal information of the actual
subscriber to the service, and will be treated as such under this Policy. If
we make available offers and products online where a child informs us that
he or she is under the age of 13, we will ask a parent to confirm his/her
consent in advance of further collection, use or disclosure of personal
information from that child.
In a Business Agreement, our customer is a business or other entity
purchasing service for employees or other authorized users. If you receive
certain benefits through a business or government customer's agreement with
us, this Policy will generally govern your personal information. However, if
you receive service where a business or government entity pays your charges
or is otherwise liable for the charges, we may share your account
information with that entity. If you receive certain benefits tied to a
Business Agreement, but you are liable for your own charges, then we may
share enough account information with that entity to verify your continuing
eligibility for those benefits.
Our definition of personal information does not include "aggregate"
information. Aggregate information is data we collect about a group or
category of services or customers from which individual customer identities
have been removed. For example, we could prepare a report that indicates
that a certain number of our customers always use their FTP hosting account
at a certain time of day at a specific location. Aggregate data helps us
understand trends and customer needs so that we can better consider new
services or tailor existing services to customer desires. The aggregate data
also might be purchased by or shared with a third party, for example, one
interested in locating a business in a particular part of town.
Here are the types of personal and other information we collect. You should
refer to the rest of this Policy to see how we use, disclose and protect
that information:
Information You Give Us: We collect
information you give us when you purchase a Fierce Host product or use our
services. For example, you may provide us a billing address and credit
information, including your social security number or business identifier,
when signing up for service or perhaps purchasing a product through our
online store.
Automatically Collected Information: We
automatically receive certain types of information whenever you interact
with us. For example, when you visit a Fierce Host Web site, our systems
automatically collect your IP address and the type of browser you use.
Information from Other Sources: We may
obtain information about you from outside sources and add it to or combine
it with your account information. For example, we may receive credit
information for purposes of initiating service. We also may use commercially
available demographic and marketing information from third parties to help
us better serve you or inform you about products or services that we think
will be of interest to you. We sometimes receive updated delivery and
address information from our shippers or other sources so that we can
correct our records and deliver your next purchase or communication more
easily. And, we often receive information from the dealer or affiliate from
whom you purchase your hosting package or other product prior to initiating
service with us.
We also may purchase e-mail lists from third parties for advertising
purposes. We only purchase lists of individuals who have allowed third-party
use of their e-mail address for marketing purposes. If you have previously
requested to participate in an e-mail advertising program, the information
we receive may include your name, information on previous transactions, or
any other personal information you have provided.
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act
If we make available offers and products online where a child informs us
that he or she is under the age of 13, we will ask a parent to confirm
his/her consent in advance of further collection, use or disclosure of
personal information from that child. You should be aware, however, that
hosting services and services purchased for family use may be used by minors
without the knowledge of Fierce Host. If that happens, any information
collected from the usage will appear to be the personal information of the
actual adult subscriber and treated as such under this Policy.
Use of Personal Information
Internal Use. In general, we use personal information to serve our
customers, to enhance and extend our customer relationship, to provide
information and services to applicants, shareholders and others who request
it, and so our customers can take maximum advantage of our products and
services. For example, by understanding how you use our Web site, we are
able to customize and personalize your experience. More specifically, we use
personal information for billing purposes, to provide services or complete
transactions you have requested, to anticipate and resolve problems with
your services, and to create and inform you of products or services from
Fierce Host or others that better meet your needs.
Fierce Host uses e-mail, short text messages, instant messaging,
telemarketing and direct mail to inform you about products or services we
think will interest you.
For Fierce Host customers:
If you are a Fierce Host customer and wish to change your preferences on
receiving these types of communications, you can send an email to dunning@fiercehost.com
to tell us your preferences.
While you may choose not to receive marketing information from us, you will
continue to receive invoices, customer service-related notifications and
other similar information from us electronically or otherwise. You will also
continue to receive communications directly related to each individual
service offering you have selected.
If you are not a Fierce Host customer:
If you are not a Fierce Host customer and wish to change your preferences on
receiving these types of communications, you can send an email to dunning@fiercehost.com
to tell us your preferences. Third Party Use. You should review the
following section to understand when Fierce Host discloses personal
information to third parties.
Disclosure of Personal Information
Information about our customers is one of our most important business
assets, and therefore we strive to protect it and keep it confidential. We
do not sell personal information to third parties without your consent. When
and what types of information Fierce Host discloses depends on the service
and in some cases the choices you have made. We disclose personal
information as follows:
Your Consent. Fierce Host will not disclose personal information other than
in accordance with this Policy. In general, that means that you must consent
to the disclosure in advance. Depending on the service, we may obtain your
consent in a number of ways, including: In writing; Verbally; Online by
clicking a button; Through the use of a dialing string or button on a
wireless device or handset; or At the time of service initiation when your
consent is part of the required terms and conditions to use the service.
For example, your consent to disclose personal information can be implied
simply by the nature of your request, such as when you ask us to deliver an
e-mail or short message to another person. Your return address is disclosed
as part of the service and your consent to do so implied by your use of the
service. To determine how personal information may be disclosed as part of a
particular service, you should review the terms and conditions of use for
that service.
We share personal information with third parties as necessary to complete a
transaction, perform a service on our behalf (such as enhancing our ability
to serve you better) or perform a service that you have requested. When the
third party acts solely on our behalf, Fierce Host does not allow them to
use your information for other purposes. For example, our vendors process
and print your billing statement on our behalf. They can only use the
personal information we give them to produce the billing statement.
Aside from our services, however, you may also want to take advantage of
services and products offered by other companies utilizing our hosting and
other web-related service. In those cases, you will be providing information
to those companies, and information about you received by those third
parties will be governed by their privacy policies, not this Policy.
From time to time you may be able to participate in contests, giveaways or
other similar promotions we sponsor. Except as explained otherwise in the
rules for a particular contest, giveaway or promotion, any personal
information you provide will be used in accordance with this Policy.
In addition, from time to time you may be able to participate in our surveys
to help us improve our offerings and services. Any personal information that
may be collected from a survey will be used for our internal purposes.
If you use Fierce Host online message boards, forums or chat rooms, you
should be aware that any personally identifiable information you submit
there can be read, collected, or used by other users of these message
boards, forums, chat rooms, etc. and could be used to send you unsolicited
messages. We are not responsible for the personally identifiable information
you choose to submit in these areas.
Business Transfers: Information about our users, including personal
information, may be disclosed as part of any merger, acquisition, sale of
company assets or transition of service to another provider, as well as in
the unlikely event of an insolvency, bankruptcy or receivership in which
personal information would be transferred as one of the business assets of
the company.
Protection of Fierce Host and Others: We release personal information when
we believe release is appropriate to comply with the law (e.g., a lawful
subpoena, etc.); enforce or apply our customer agreements; initiate, render,
bill, and collect for services; protect our rights or property, or protect
users of those services and other carriers from fraudulent, abusive, or
unlawful use of, or subscription to, such services; facilitate or verify the
appropriate calculation of taxes, fees, or other obligations due to a local,
state, or federal government; or if we reasonably believe that an emergency
involving immediate danger of death or serious physical injury to any person
requires disclosure of communications or justifies disclosure of records
without delay.
Fierce Host Use of 'Cookies'
Cookies are small files placed on your computer's hard drive by a Web site
when you visit. These files identify your computer and record your
preferences and other data about your visit so that when you return to the
site, the site knows who you are and can personalize your visit. For
example, cookies enable a Web site shopping cart to function so that you
only have to check out once. Consequently, cookies are often tied to the use
of personally identifiable information while using our site and some
functionality may be lost if you choose not to accept the use of cookies.
In general, we use cookies to collect information so that we can determine
how to improve our site by seeing which areas, features and products are
most popular; to personalize the site and make recommendations based on
products you have liked in the past as well as to improve the site
experience; and to complete transactions you have requested. Advertisers
that serve ads on our site may also use their own cookies. Such outside
cookies are governed by the privacy policies of the entities placing the
ads, and are not subject to this Policy.
We also use a session-based cookie that maintains a user’s session for
continuity of navigation while viewing the site. After closing the browser
the session cookie simply terminates.
Fierce Host Use of Web Beacons
A Web beacon, also known as a Web bug, is a small, graphic image on a Web
page, Web-based document or in an e-mail message that is designed to allow
the site owner or a third party to monitor the address and other information
of the site viewing the item. Web beacons are often invisible to the user
because they are typically very small (only 1-by-1 pixel) and the same color
as the background of the Web page, document or e-mail message. Web beacons
are represented as HTML IMG tags in the Web page; users can click on "view
profiles" of the Web page to see whether the page is using a Web beacon. Web
beacons collect the IP address of the computer that the Web beacon is sent
to, the URL of the page the Web beacon comes from and the time it was
viewed. Web beacons can also be linked to personal information.
Fierce Host does not place Web beacons that link to personal information on
other sites, nor does it permit third parties, other than those working on
our behalf, to place them on our site. Fierce Host does use Web beacons
itself and may link a particular beacon to personal information. For
example, we may use a beacon to ensure a user can flip between technical
assistance, customer service and our online store and still be recognized as
our customer.
Fierce Host Placement of Banner Ads on Other Web
Sites
Fierce Host may use third-party advertising companies to place
advertisements about our products and services on other Web sites. The
advertising companies may use cookies and other technology such as Web
beacons or tagging to measure the effectiveness of our ads. To measure
advertising effectiveness and offer selective ad content, the advertising
companies may use anonymous information about your visits to our and other
Web sites. But the advertising companies use an anonymous number to identify
you, NOT your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, or anything that
personally identifies you. The use of such cookies is subject to the
advertising company’s privacy policy, not the policy of Fierce Host. If you
would like more information about the advertising companies we use, their
privacy practices, or to learn your choices about not having this
non-personal information used to serve ads to you send an email to privacy@fiercehost.com
and request additional information.
Receipt of Marketing Materials from Third Parties
You should be aware that not all advertisements appearing on or delivered to
email box are authorized by Fierce Host. We have developed and implemented
systems in our network to reduce unsolicited bulk email messages, but we
cannot at this time block all such messages. We continue to look for other
options to reduce these unsolicited bulk messages. If you have an e-mail
account with Fierce Host, this service is subject to unsolicited messages as
any other e-mail service.
Network and Information Security
We maintain a variety of physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to
guard your personal information. For example, we use accepted tools and
techniques to protect against unauthorized access to our systems. Also, we
grant access to personal information about you to employees and contractors
who need to know that information to provide products or services to you. In
addition, we work to protect the security of your personal information when
you are ordering new service via the Fierce Host Web site by using
well-known Internet encryption technologies like Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).
Also, we use encryption technologies to protect your account information
when you are viewing your bill on our Web site or via email. You should be
aware that Fierce Host has no control over the security of other sites on
the Internet you might visit, interact with, or from which you buy products
or services.
An important part of protecting the security of personal information is your
effort to protect against unauthorized access to user name and password and
to your computer. Also, be sure to sign off when finished using a shared
computer and always log out of any site after viewing personal account
information.
Checking Account Information for Accuracy
Through our Customer Care organization, you can change or review account
information, including information relating to features, service options or
calling plans you have selected. For Customer Care contact information, go
to the Contact section of this website.
Updating this Policy
Fierce Host will revise or update this Policy if our practices change, as we
change existing or add new services or as we develop better ways to inform
you of products we think will be of interest. You should refer back to this
page often for the latest information and the effective date of any changes.
If, however, users’ personally identifiable information will be used in a
manner materially different from that stated at the time of collection we
will notify users via posting on this page for 30 days before the material
change is made. Users will have a choice as to whether or not their
information will be used in this materially different manner.
Fierce Host is committed to the policies set forth in this Policy.
If you have any questions, comments or concerns about this Policy, please
contact privacy@fiercehost.com.
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