US-CERT Website Policies and Terms of Use

US-CERT Privacy Policy

Our privacy policy is plain and simple. We collect NO personal information like names or addresses when you visit our website. If you choose to provide that information to us it is only used to fulfill your request for information. We do collect some technical information when you visit to make your visit seamless. The section below explains how we handle and collect technical information when you visit our website.

Information Collected and Stored Automatically

When you browse, read pages or download information on the Department of Homeland Security's websites, we automatically gather and store certain technical information about your visit. This information never identifies who you are. The information we collect and store about your visit is listed below:

This information is only used to help us make the site more useful for you. With this data we learn about the number of visitors to our site and the types of technology our visitors use. We never track or record information about individuals and their visits.

Cookies

When you visit some websites, their web servers generate pieces of information known as cookies. Some cookies collect personal information to recognize your computer in the future. This is not the case at Department of Homeland Security, where we only use non-persistent cookies or "per-session cookies." These cookies do not collect personal information on users and they are erased as soon as you leave our website. Per-session cookies serve technical purposes like providing seamless navigation through a website. These cookies do not permanently record data and they are not stored on your computer's hard drive. Department of Homeland Security cookies are stored in memory and are only available during an active browser session. Again, once you close your browser, the cookie disappears.

If You Send Us Personal Information

If you choose to provide us with personal information -- like filling out a Contact Us form with personal information and submitting it to us through the website -- we use that information to respond to your message and to help us get you the information you have requested. We only share the information you give us with another government agency if your inquiry relates to that agency, or as otherwise required by law. We never create individual profiles or give it to any private organizations. The Department of Homeland Security never collects information for commercial marketing.

Site Security

For site security purposes and to ensure that this service remains available to all users, this government computer system employs commercial software programs to monitor network traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, or otherwise cause damage. Except for authorized law enforcement investigations, no other attempts are made to identify individual users or their usage habits. Raw data logs are used for no other purposes and are scheduled for regular destruction in accordance with National Archives and Records Administration guidelines. Unauthorized attempts to upload information or change information on this service are strictly prohibited and may be punishable under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 and the National Information Infrastructure Protection Act.

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Linking Policy

US-CERT links to websites created and maintained by other public and/or private organizations. US-CERT provides these links as a service to our users. When users link to an outside website, they are leaving the US-CERT site and are subject to the privacy and security policies of the owners/sponsors of the outside website(s).

Prohibitions

US-CERT will not link to any website that exhibits hate, bias or discrimination. Furthermore, we reserve the right to deny or remove any link that contains misleading information or unsubstantiated claims, or is determined to be in conflict with US-CERT's mission or policies.

Disclaimer of Endorsement

The information posted on the US-CERT website includes hypertext links or pointers to information created and maintained by other public and/or private organizations. US-CERT provides these links and pointers solely for our users' information and convenience. When users select a link to an outside website, they are leaving the US-CERT site and are subject to the privacy and security policies of the owners/sponsors of the outside website.


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Terms of Use

Permission to Link

You may link to the US-CERT website by using "US-CERT" as a text hyperlink, provided the following text is included on the website: "This link is provided for informational purposes only and does not represent an endorsement by or affiliation with the US-CERT (DHS)." You are not permitted to use the US-CERT or DHS wordmark, logo, seal, or icon.

Copyright Permission

At this time, you may not reproduce or distribute documents available on US-CERT's website, in whole or in part, for commercial use. For noncommercial purposes or solely internal distribution, you may reproduce documents from US-CERT's website provided you include a produced by statement.


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Notification

The information you have accessed or received is provided "as is" for informational purposes only. The US-CERT (DHS) does not provide any warranties of any kind regarding this information. In no event shall the United States Government or its contractors or subcontractors be liable for any damages, including but not limited to, direct, indirect, special or consequential damages, arising out of, resulting from, or in any way connected with this information, whether or not based upon warranty, contract, tort, or otherwise, whether or not arising out of negligence, and whether or not injury was sustained from, or arose out of the results of, or reliance upon the information.

The display of the DHS official seal or other DHS visual identities, including the US-CERT or ICS-CERT name or logo shall not be interpreted to provide any person or organization the authorization to use the official seal, insignia or other visual identities of the Department of Homeland Security, including US-CERT and ICS-CERT. The DHS seal, insignia, or other visual identities shall not be used in any manner to imply endorsement of any commercial product or activity by DHS, US-CERT, ICS-CERT or the United States Government. Use of the DHS seal without proper authorization violates federal law (e.g., 18 U.S.C. §§ 506, 701, 1017), and is against DHS policies governing usage of its seal.

All content on this website or received via email distribution through this website is TLP: WHITE. Recipients may share TLP: WHITE information without restriction, subject to copyright controls. For more information on the Traffic Light Protocol, see http://www.us-cert.gov/tlp.

The DHS does not endorse any commercial product or service, including any subjects of analysis. Any reference to specific commercial products, processes, or services by service mark, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply their endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by DHS.


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