In compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998.
Information Collection and Use
We collect information from our users on the web site – this is for customer service purposes, and we also collect data from our users so that we can contact them regarding their queries. MAF Associates is the sole owner of the personal information collected from this site. We will not sell, share, or rent this information to others. Registration in order to access our 'free stuff' section or to submit a query on the 'Contact' page, users have to complete personal details fields or a registration form. During such registration a user is required to give contact information (such as name and email address). This information is used to contact the user about the services on our site for which they have expressed interest. It is optional for the user to provide demographic information (such as income level and gender), and unique identifiers, but encouraged so we can provide a more personalised experience.
Cookies
A cookie is a small text file written to a user's hard drive that contains the User ID and IP address. The cookies do not contain any personal information about users. The use of cookies is now widespread. The reason we use cookies is to save our users time on the site (so that users do not have to log in with a password more than once); and also so that we can personalise our contact with the user. If a user sets up his or her browser to reject the cookie, he or she may still use the site although functionality will be impaired.
Log Files
We use a program called WebTrends, which records IP addresses to analyse trends, administer the site, track user's movement, and gather broad demographic information for aggregate use.
Links
This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that MAF Associates is not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of these third party sites. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this Web site.
Surveys & Contests
From time-to-time our site requests information from users via surveys or contests. Participation in these surveys or contests is completely voluntary and the user therefore has a choice whether or not to disclose any information requested. Information requested may include contact information (such as name and delivery address), and demographic information (such as postcode, age level). Contact information will be used to notify the winners and award prizes. Survey information will be used for purposes of monitoring or improving the functionality of the site.
Security
This web site takes every precaution to protect our users' information. When users submit sensitive information via the web site, your information is protected both online and off-line.
If you have any questions about the security at our web site, you can send an email to office@maf-associates.com
Correcting/Updating Personal Information
If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postcode), or if a user no longer desires our service, we will endeavour to provide a way to correct, update or remove that user's personal data provided to us. This can usually be done at the 'Contact Us' page or by sending an email to office@maf-associates.com
Notification of Changes
If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes on our Home page so our users are always aware of what information we collect, how we use it, and under circumstances, if any, we disclose it. If at any point we decide to use personally identifiable information in a manner different from that stated at the time it was collected, we will notify users by way of an email. Users will have a choice as to whether or not we use their information in this different manner. We will use information in accordance with the privacy policy under which the information was collected.
Summary of terms
Browser
Used to locate and display Web pages via a software application. The most popular ones are Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Cookie
Message given to a web browser by a web server. The message is then stored by the browser in a text file of the format cookie@you.txt. Each time the browser requests a page from the server, this message is sent back. A cookie's main objective is to identify users and personalise their visit by customising web pages for them for example by welcoming them by name next time they visit the same site. A site using cookies will usually invite you to provide personal information such as your name, e-mail address and interests.
IP (Internet Protocol)
All networks connected to the internet speak IP, the technical standard which allows data to be transmitted between two devices. TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) is responsible for making sure messages get from one host to another and that the messages are understood.
IP address
If you are connected to the Internet you have one which is unique to you, for example it may look something like this 198.184.98.9
Web Server
Delivers (serves up) web pages to your computer.