Thank you for visiting the REFERNET ("REFERNET") Internet web site located under the universal resource locator at www.refernet.net ("Site"). We are pleased to provide this Privacy Policy governing our use of personally identifiable information provided to us via this Site. Our privacy practices are designed to provide protection for your personal information all over the world. Some countries may provide less legal protection for your information. In such countries REFERNET will still handle information in the manner described in this Privacy Policy.

What we collect and how we use it

REFERNET may ask you to provide personally identifiable information, such as your name, contact information, job category, and information about your company. This information may be gathered when you register with the Site. When you provide such information to us, we may use it to: deliver requested services or information; provide notices regarding services that you may be interested in; and to improve the content and general administration of the Site. If you participate in an REFERNET mailing list, you should be aware that the information you provide there will be made broadly available to others, potentially inside or outside REFERNET, who have access to that mailing list. Also, please recognize that mailing lists may have additional rules and conditions. Opinions expressed in a mailing list are those of the participants and shouldn't be considered as reflecting REFERNET's opinion.

Cookies

We use small text files called cookies to improve the overall Site experience. Cookies generally do not permit us to personally identify you. The use of cookies is now standard operating procedure for most Web sites. You can set your browser to notify you before you receive a cookie, giving you the chance to decide whether to accept it. You can also set your browser to turn off cookies. If you do so, however, some Web sites may not work properly. Here is how to set your cookie preferences:

Netscape Navigator 4

In the Edit menu, select Preferences. In the Preferences dialog box, in the left hand side menu, click on "Advanced" and 4 options concerning cookies will appear on the lower right. Choose Help for further details. You can find more information about cookies and Netscape on the Netscape Web site.

Netscape Navigator 6

Netscape allows you to set 3 options for cookies: disable all cookies; enable cookies for the originating web site only; enable all cookies. You can also set Netscape to "warn you before a cookie is stored" on your computer. To get to these options: in the Edit menu, select Preferences; In Preferences, click the down arrow for "Privacy and Security", then click on cookies. You can find more information about cookies and Netscape on the Netscape Web site.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 5

MSIE allows you to set options for each of four security zones: Internet; Local Intranet; Trusted Sites; Untrusted Sites. For each of these zones, you can choose whether to accept, reject, or be prompted for all persistent cookies, and all session cookies. To get to the option screen, choose "Tools/Internet Options", then select the Security tab. Then, for each of the zones, choose "Custom Level", and scroll down in the options screen to "Cookies".

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6

MSIE 6 allows you to set options for each of six privacy cookie settings: Block all Cookies; High; Medium high; Medium; Low; Accept all Cookies. For each of these settings, you can choose whether to accept, reject, or be prompted for all first and third party cookies, and to allow or not allow all session cookies. To set your cookie options, choose "Tools/Internet Options", and select the Privacy tab. Then, move the bar to one of the six cookie settings. Next, select the Advanced button, and click the Override Automatic Cookie Handling, and indicate the appropriate options.

Other browsers

Contact the manufacturer of the browser for information.

Disclosure

Your identifiable information will not be dislosed to third parties not related to ReferNet. We will only disclose your personally identifiable information if we reasonably believe we are required to do so by law, regulation or other government authority or to prevent harm to yourself or others. In addition, we may transfer your personally identifiable information to a successor entity upon a merger, consolidation or other corporate reorganization in which REFERNET participates or to a purchaser of all or substantially all of REFERNET's assets. It is REFERNET's practice to seek appropriate protection for information in these types of transactions.

Please be aware that in certain circumstances, it is possible that personal information may be subject to disclosure pursuant to judicial or other government subpoenas, warrants or orders.

Links to Third Party Sites

This Site may be linked to other web sites on the Internet which are not under the control of or maintained by REFERNET. Such links do not constitute an endorsement by REFERNET of those other web sites, the content displayed therein, or the persons or entities associated therewith. REFERNET is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of those other web sites.

Security

REFERNET employs procedural and technological measures, consistent with the demands of customer service. Such measures are reasonably designed to protect your personally identifiable information from loss, unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration or destruction. REFERNET may use encryption, password protection, firewalls, internal restrictions and other security measures to help prevent unauthorized access to your personally identifiable information.

Updating Your Information

REFERNET allows registered users to self-maintain their accounts which include personal information, professional expertise, and other business related information. REFERNET does not maintain nor update YOUR information and is not responsible for discrepancies and fraudulent activities.

Policy Changes

REFERNET reserves the right to change this Privacy Policy, and will post any revisions on the Site. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy regularly for any changes. Your continued use of the Site will be subject to the then-current privacy policy. If you become aware that the information is incorrect and you would like for us to correct it, please contact us. We may ask you to verify your identity and to provide other details to help us respond to your request.