technologyforall (TFA)

Privacy and Security Safeguards Plan

Technology For All, Inc. (TFA) utilizes several technical mechanisms and policies to protect its network and safeguard the privacy of individuals and organizations utilizing its network, its computers, its websites and other services.

When you use the Internet, most web sites automatically receive some anonymous information. This data may include a record of which pages a Web browser (your computer) has visited. TFA servers log this usage data, but the data is NEVER associated with any personal information that would allow TFA to identify specific individuals or what specific pages are visited.

Disclosure

TFA will not sell, trade, or disclose to third parties any personal information derived from the registration for or use of a TFA service -- including names and addresses -- without the consent of the user (except as required by subpoena, search warrant, or other legal process or in the case of imminent physical harm to the user or others). When TFA or its contractors conduct officially sanctioned research studies, TFA will ensure that researchers protect personal information in a way that is consistent with this Policy.

Personal information which a visitor provides to TFA to order and/or use TFA services will be protected just as if the information had been provided under more traditional ways of ordering that service.

Security

TFA follows strict policy guidelines to safeguard the privacy of personal information from unauthorized access or improper use. We are committed to following "best practice" whenever possible to protect individual privacy and safeguard personal information.

Email

TFA will not read or disclose to third parties private email messages that are transmitted using TFA servers except as required to provide the service or as otherwise authorized by law.

Appropriate Use

TFA may use personal information to investigate and help prevent potentially unlawful activity or activity that threatens the network or otherwise violates TFA “Acceptable Use Policy” for that service.

Personal Information

TFA will always provide users the opportunity to review personal information maintained for its internal use and will correct any information which may be noted inaccurate or outdated.

System Integrity

In order to insure the integrity of its computer systems and networks TFA employs several technical mechanisms to protect it from viruses, hackers and other outside threats. All computer systems and networks are installed with the anti-virus software that is automatically updated regularly and when individual users logout. In addition, TFA utilizes a firewall to protect its network from outside threats. The secure online transmission of data between computers and networks within the TFA system is managed through the creation of virtual private networks created through static and secure IP addresses. Users of TFA networks and computer systems are provided unique individual user names and alpha numeric passwords. User passwords associated with the highest levels of network permissions and access must be changed every 90 days.

Copyright Protection

All materials appearing on www.techforall.org and other associated websites are the property of Technology For All, Inc., unless otherwise indicated, and are protected by the copyright laws. Any reproduction or distribution, except for personal or informational use, is a violation of our copyright.

Techforall.org

The Technology For All website (www.techforall.org) and other related websites (example: houston.techforall.org) included within the same domain are for general audiences and are not directed at children. The sites contain links to other websites and servers. TFA is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such websites. Once linked to another site, users are subject to the privacy policies of the new site.

Trademark Protection

Technology For All® and the Technology For All logo are registered service/trademarks of Technology For All, Inc. (TFA). All other trademarks referred to on techforall.org and other associated websites are service/trademarks of their respective owners.

Information about techforall.org Visitors

In general, the TFA website and services automatically gather certain usage information like the numbers and frequency of visitors to techforall.org, associated web sites and their areas. TFA only uses such data in the aggregate, except for the use of the private portions of our site by our partner organizations and their constituents. This collective data helps determine how constituents and friends use parts of the site, so it can be improved and be as useful and appealing as possible.

TechForAll.org Financial Security

technologyforall

Acceptable Use Policies

General Principles

Access to computer systems and networks owned or operated by Technology For All, Inc. (TFA) imposes certain responsibilities and obligations and is granted subject to TFA policies and local, state, and federal laws. Acceptable use always is ethical, reflects academic honesty, and shows restraint in the consumption of shared resources. It demonstrates respect for intellectual property, ownership of data, system security mechanisms, and individuals' rights to privacy and to freedom from intimidation and harassment.

Guidelines

In making acceptable use of TFA resources you shall:

1. Use resources only for authorized purposes.
2. Protect your user-id and system from unauthorized use. You are responsible for all activities on your user-id or that originate from your system.
3. Access only information that is your own, that is publicly available, or to which you have been given authorized access.
4. Use only legal versions of copyrighted software in compliance with vendor license requirements.
5. Be considerate in your use of shared resources. Refrain from monopolizing systems, overloading networks with excessive data, degrading services, or wasting computer time, connect time, disk space, printer paper, manuals, or other resources.

In making acceptable use of resources you shall NOT:

1. Use another person's system, user-id, password, files, or data without permission.
2. Use computer programs to decode passwords or access control information.
3. Attempt to circumvent or subvert system or network security measures.
4. Engage in any activity that might be purposefully harmful to systems or to any information stored thereon, such as creating or propagating viruses, disrupting services, or damaging files or making unauthorized modifications to Technology For All data.
5. Use TFA systems for commercial or partisan political purposes, such as using electronic mail to circulate advertising for products or for political candidates.
6. Make or use illegal copies of copyrighted materials or software, store such copies on TFA systems, or transmit them over TFA networks.
7. Use mail or messaging services to harass or intimidate another person, for example, by broadcasting unsolicited messages, by repeatedly sending unwanted mail, or by using someone else's name or user-id.
8. Waste computing resources or network resources, for example, by intentionally placing a program in an endless loop, printing excessive amounts of paper, or by sending chain letters or unsolicited mass mailings (spam).
9. Use TFA's systems or networks for personal gain, for example, by selling access to your user-id or to TFA systems or networks, or by performing work for profit with TFA resources in a manner not authorized by TFA.
10. Engage in any other activity that does not comply with the General Principles presented above.

Enforcement

TFA considers any violation of acceptable use principles or guidelines to be a serious offense and reserves the right to copy and examine any files or information resident on TFA systems allegedly related to unacceptable use, and to protect its network from systems and events that threaten or degrade operations. Violators are subject to disciplinary action that may include loss of service. Offenders also may be prosecuted under laws including (but not limited to) the Communications Act of 1934 (amended), the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986, The Computer Virus Eradication Act of 1989, Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property, and the Electronic Communications Privacy Act.

Information Disclaimer

Individuals using computer systems owned by Technology For All do so subject to applicable laws and TFA policies. Technology For All disclaims any responsibility and/or warranties for information and materials residing on non-TFA systems or available over publicly accessible networks. Such materials do not necessarily reflect the attitudes, opinions, or values of Technology For All, its staff or board members.

These guidelines should not be construed as a limit on any individual's right under the constitutions of the United States or the State of Texas.