Telava Privacy and Security Policy
Effective January 01, 2007
Telava Networks, Inc. (collectively, "Telava," "we," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy.
Please read this privacy policy statement carefully so that you understand what
kind of information we may acquire from you, how we may use that information, whether
we may disclose it to anyone, and the choices you have regarding our use of the
information and your ability to correct the information. We will not trade, sell,
or disclose to any third party any form of personally identifiable information without
your consent, including information derived from registration, subscription, and
use of the Telava service. This policy applies only to Telava,
and not to other companies’ or organizations’ Web sites to which we link.
Collection of Your Information
Telava shall collect and use customer identifiable
information for billing, provisioning of service, to solve problems associated with
service, and to inform customers of new products or services that will better meet
their needs. Telava will use customer identifiable information to market
products and services to the customer, but will not disclose or make available any
customer identifiable information to any third parties seeking to market products.
If a customer chooses not to participate in direct marketing of new products and
services from Telava, that customer's information will not be used for
the purpose of marketing new products.
Disclosure your Personal Information
We consider the personal information contained in our business
records to be confidential. Telava will not read, listen to or disclose
to any third parties your private e-mail, conversations, or other communications,
that are transmitted using our services.
Some Telava services may be co-branded and
offered in conjunction with our business partners. If you order for or use
such services, both Telava and the other company may receive information collected
in conjunction with the co-branded services.
These disclose personal information if required
to do so by law or in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to: (a)
conform to the edicts of the law or comply with legal process served on Telava;
(b) protect and defend the rights or property of Telava including, without
limitation the security and integrity of our network; or (c) act under exigent circumstances
to protect the personal safety of users of our services or members of the public.
Security of Your Personal Information
Telava is committed to protecting the security
of your personal information. We use a variety of security technologies and procedures
to help protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use or disclosure.
When we transmit highly confidential information (such as a credit card number)
over the Internet, we protect it through the use of encryption. As effective as
modern security practices are, no physical or electronic security system is impenetrable.
We cannot guarantee the complete security of our database, nor can we guarantee
that information you supply won't be intercepted while being transmitted to us over
the Internet. We have implemented strict internal guidelines to ensure that your
privacy is safeguarded at every level of our organization. Telava will
continue to revise policies and implement additional security features as new technologies
become available.
If a password is used to help protect your accounts and
personal information, it is your responsibility to keep your password confidential.
Do not share this information with anyone.
If you are sharing a computer with anyone you should
always choose to log out before leaving a site or service to protect access to our
information from subsequent users.
Creating a secure Telava.com user name and password
Telava requires customers to provide their social security
numbers as a prerequisite to online bill paying for the sole purpose of preserving
customer security and ensuring that access to billing and account information is
limited to the customer who holds the account. This information is used solely for
Telava's identification purposes and is not provided to any third party.
While we are always evaluating ways to improve our online
customer care processes, to date, we have been unable to find an alternative option
for setting up your online account that provides an adequate level of security.
The most effective way for us to ensure your accounts online security is by matching
your social security number to the name on your Telava account. This practice is
similar to those found on many major financial service web sites, which also are
subject to strict customer privacy laws.
We take the privacy of the individual's account information
seriously. As a result Telava feels it is better to require customers to provide
their social security numbers rather than risk permitting unauthorized access to
our customers' accounts.
If you do not have a social security number or do not
wish to provide it online, you may contact a Telava customer service representative
for assistance with setting up your Telava.com account over the phone.
Ensuring secure online ordering and payment
The location where you sign up for online access - is
secure as noted by the "https://www..."
As you may know the secure hypertext transfer protocol
(https) is a communications protocol designed to transfer encrypted information
between computers over the World Wide Web. The Secure Socket Layer (SSL) is the
encryption protocol invoked on the web server that uses the http. Wherever you see
the " https" preceding the URL, you know that you are on a secure site. In addition,
your web browser might also display an indicator, usually displayed on the lower
status bar, that shows a secure connection has been made (usually a picture of a
"closed lock").
Privacy and Children
Telava takes care to protect the safety and
privacy of young people using our services. We do not sell products or services
to kids. Also, we do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from
children and teenagers under the age of 18 and Telava does not wish to
collect any such information.
Federal law requires website operators who collect
personal information from children under the age of thirteen to first get parental
consent. Telava will not knowingly link to any third party web site that
solicits or collects personally identifiable information from minors.
Cookies
To help make our website more responsive to your needs,
we use a standard feature of browser software nicknamed “cookies.” We use cookies
to help us tailor our website to your needs, to deliver a better, more personalized
service, and to remember certain choices you’ve made so you don’t have to re-enter
them. A cookie is a text file that is placed on your hard disk by a web page server.
Cookies cannot be used to run programs or deliver viruses to your computer. Cookies
are uniquely assigned to you, and can only be read by a web server in the domain
that issued the cookie to you.
One of the primary purposes of cookies is to provide
a convenience feature to save you time. For example, if you personalize Telava
pages, or register with Telava sites or services, a cookie helps Telava recall your specific information on subsequent visits. This simplifies
the process of recording your personal information, such as billing addresses, preferred
email address, and so on. When you return to Telava, the information you
previously provided can be retrieved, so you can easily use the Telava
features that you customized.
Spam
Telava has zero tolerance for spam. Spam complaints
will be dealt with seriously and can result in losing Telava privileges.
What is Spam?
Spam is email that is sent against the wishes of the recipient.
There are two kinds. The first kind of spam concerns individuals who email people
that they don't know personally. The second type of spam is sent by organizations
to individuals who have not expressed a desire to receive such communications. Both
kinds of spam are inappropriate.
We cannot protect against security breaches with 100%
certainty; however, we are employing a methodology that is widely accepted throughout
the industry as sufficient to protect sensitive and proprietary information.
Seven Practices for Safer Internet Computing
Access to information
and entertainment, credit and financial services, products from every corner of
the world—even to your work—is greater than earlier generations could ever have
imagined. Thanks to the Internet, you can order books, clothes or appliances online;
reserve a hotel room across the ocean; download music and games; check your bank
balance throughout the day; or access your workplace from thousands of miles away.
The flip-side is that
the Internet—and the anonymity it affords—also can give online scammers, hackers
and identity thieves access to your computer, personal information, finances and
more.
With awareness as your
safety net, you can minimize the chance of an Internet mishap. Being on guard online
helps you protect your information, your computer, even yourself. To be safer and
more secure online, adopt these seven practices.
1. Protect your personal information. It's valuable.
Why? To an identity thief,
your personal information can provide instant access to your financial accounts,
your credit record and other assets.
If you think no one would be interested
in your personal information, think again. The reality is that anyone can be a victim
of identity theft. In fact, according to a Federal Trade Commission survey, there
are almost 10 million victims every year. It's often difficult to know how thieves
obtained their victims' personal information, and while it definitely can happen
offline, some cases start when online data is stolen. Visit www.consumer.gov/idtheft to learn what to do if your identity is stolen.
Unfortunately, when it
comes to crimes like identity theft, you can't entirely control whether you will
become a victim. Following these tips can help minimize your risk while you're online:
2. Know
who you're dealing with.
And know what you're getting
into. There are dishonest people in the bricks and mortar world and on the Internet.
Online, you can't judge an operator's trustworthiness with a gut-affirming look
in the eye. It's remarkably simple for online scammers to impersonate a legitimate
business, so you need to know with whom you're dealing. If you're shopping online,
check out the seller before you buy. A legitimate business or individual seller
should give you a physical address and a working telephone number at which they
can be contacted in case you have problems.
Phishing: Bait or Prey?
"We suspect an unauthorized
transaction on your account. To ensure that your account is not compromised, please
click the link below and confirm your identity."
"Phishers" send spam emails
(although they may not appear to be so) or pop-up messages claiming to be from a
business or organization that you might deal with—for example, an Internet service
provider (ISP), bank, online payment service or even a government agency. The message
usually says that you need to "update" or "validate" your account information. It
might threaten some dire consequence if you don't respond. The message directs you
to a website that looks just like a legitimate organization's, but in fact it is
not.
The purpose of the bogus
site? To trick you into divulging your personal information so the operators can
steal your identity and run up bills or commit crimes in your name. Don't take the
bait: If you are directed to a website to update your information, verify that the
site is legitimate by calling the company directly, using contact information from
your account statements. Or open a new browser window and type the URL into the
address field, watching that the actual URL of the site you visit doesn't change
and is still the one you intended to visit.
Forward phishing spam
to the company, bank or organization impersonated in the phishing message so that
action can be taken against the phisher. Most organizations have information on
their websites about where to report problems.
Free Software and File Sharing: Worth the Hidden Costs?
Every day, millions of
computer users share files online. File sharing can give people access to a wealth
of information, including music, games and software. How does it work? You download
special software that connects your computer to an informal network of other computers
running the same software. Millions of users could be connected to each other through
this software at one time. Often the software is free and easily accessible.
But file sharing can have
a number of risks. If you don't check the proper settings, you could allow access
not just to the files you intend to share, but also to other information on your
hard drive, like your tax returns, email messages, medical records, photos or other
personal documents. In addition, you may unwittingly download pornography labeled
as something else. Or you may download material that is protected by the copyright
laws, which would mean you could be breaking the law.
If you decide to use file-sharing
software, set it up very carefully. Take the time to read the End User Licensing
Agreement to be sure you understand and are willing to tolerate the side effects
of any free downloads.
Spyware
Many free downloads—whether
from peers or businesses—come with potentially undesirable side effects. Spyware
is software installed without your knowledge or consent that adversely affects your
ability to use your computer, sometimes by monitoring or controlling how you use
it. To avoid spyware, resist the urge to install any software unless you know exactly
what it is. Your antivirus software may include anti-spyware capability that you
can activate, but if it doesn't, you can install separate anti-spyware software,
and then use it regularly to scan for and delete any spyware programs that may sneak
onto your computer.
Email Attachments and Links: Legitimate or Virus-Laden?
Most viruses sent over
email or Instant Messenger won't damage your computer without your participation.
For example, generally you would have to open an email or attachment that includes
a virus or follow a link to a site that is programmed to infect your computer. So
hackers often try to trick you into opening the email attachment or clicking on
a link. Some virus-laden emails appear to come from a friend or colleague; some
have an appealing file name, like "Fwd: FUNNY" or "Per your request!"; others promise
to clean a virus off your computer if you open it or follow the link.
Don't open an email or
attachment—even if it appears to be from a friend or coworker—unless you are expecting
it or know what it contains. You can help others trust your attachments by including
a text message explaining what it is that you are sending them.
3. Use antivirus and personal firewall software and update
both regularly.
Dealing with antivirus
and firewall protection may sound about as exciting as flossing your teeth, but
it's just as important as a preventive measure. Having intense dental treatment
is never fun; neither is dealing with the effects of a preventable computer virus.
Antivirus Software
Antivirus software helps
protect your computer from viruses that can destroy your data, slow your computer's
performance, cause your computer to crash or even allow spammers to send email through
your account. It works by scanning your computer and your incoming email for viruses,
and then deleting them.
To be effective, your
antivirus software should update routinely with antidotes to the latest "bugs" circulating
through the Internet. Most commercial antivirus software includes a feature to download
updates automatically when connected to the Internet.
What to Look For and Where to Get It
You can download antivirus
software from the websites of software companies or buy it in retail stores. Look
for antivirus software that:
- Recognizes current viruses, as well as older ones
-
Effectively reverses the damage
-
Updates automatically
Firewalls
Don't be put off by the
word "firewall." It's not necessary to fully understand how it works; it's enough
to know what it does and why you need it. Firewalls help keep hackers from using
your computer to send out your personal information without your permission. While
antivirus software scans incoming email and files, a firewall is like a guard, watching
for outside attempts to access your system and blocking communications to and from
sources you don't permit.
Some operating systems
and hardware devices come with a built-in firewall that may be shipped in the "off"
mode. Make sure you turn it on. For your firewall to be effective, it needs to be
set up properly and updated regularly. Check the "Help" feature for specific instructions.
If your operating system doesn't include a firewall, get a separate software firewall
that runs in the background while you work, or install a hardware firewall—an external
device that includes firewall software. Several free firewall software programs
are available
on the Internet.
Zombie Drones
Some spammers search the
Internet for unprotected computers they can control and use anonymously to send
unwanted spam emails. If you don't have up-to-date antivirus protection and a firewall,
spammers may try to install software that lets them route email through your computer,
often to thousands of recipients, so that it appears to have come from your computer.
If this happens, you may receive an overwhelming number of complaints from recipients,
and your Internet access could be shut down by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
4. Set up your operating system and Web browser
software properly, and update them regularly.
Hackers also take advantage
of Web browsers (like Internet Explorer or Netscape) and operating system software
(like Windows or Linux) that are unsecured. Lessen your risk by enabling or increasing
the security settings in your browser or operating system. Check the "Tools" or
"Options" menus for built-in security features. If you need help understanding your
choices, use your "Help" function.
From time to time, your
operating system will need new software "patches" or updates that close holes in
the system that hackers could exploit. In fact, some common operating systems can
be set to automatically retrieve and install patches or updates for you. If your
system does not do this, bookmark the website for your system's manufacturer so
you can regularly visit and update your system with defenses against the latest
attacks. Updating can be as simple as one click.
If you're not using your
computer for an extended period, turn it off or unplug it from the phone or cable
line. When it's off, the computer doesn't send or receive information from the Internet
and isn't vulnerable to hackers.
Keep your passwords in
a secure place, and out of plain view. Don't share your passwords on the Internet,
over email or on the phone. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) should never have
to ask for your password.
In addition, hackers may
try to guess your passwords in order to gain access to your computer and the information
on it. You can make it tougher for them by:
-
Using passwords that have at least eight characters
and include numbers or symbols
-
Avoiding common words: some hackers use programs that
can try every word in the dictionary
-
Not using your personal information, your login name
or adjacent keys on the keyboard as passwords
-
Changing your passwords regularly (at a minimum, every
90 days)
-
Not using the same password for each online account
you access. One way to create a strong password is to think of a memorable phrase
which is unique to you and use the first letter of each word as your password, converting
some letters into numbers that resemble letters. For example, "How much wood could
a woodchuck chuck" would become HmWc@wcC.
If you follow these tips,
you're more likely to be more secure online, free of interference from hackers,
viruses and spammers. No system is completely secure. If you have important files
stored on your computer, copy them onto a removable disc and store them in a safe
place.
7. Learn who to contact if something goes wrong online.
Hacking or Computer Virus
If your computer gets
hacked or infected by a virus:
-Immediately unplug the phone or cable line from your
machine. Then scan your entire computer with fully updated antivirus software and
update your firewall.
-Take steps to minimize the chances of another incident.
-Alert the appropriate authorities by contacting your
ISP and alerting them to the hacker's ISP (if you can tell what it is). You can
usually find an ISP's email address on its website. Include information on the incident
from your firewall's log file. By alerting the ISP to the problem on its system,
you can help it prevent similar problems in the future.
Internet Fraud
If a scammer takes advantage of you
through an Internet auction, when you're shopping online or in any other way, report
it to the Federal Trade Commission, at
ftc.gov.* The
FTC enters Internet, identity theft and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer
Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal
law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
Deceptive Spam
If you get deceptive email, such as
a message phishing for your information, forward it to the entity that is being
wrongfully impersonated (for Telava related phishing emails, forward to spoof@telava.com.)
Be sure to include the full header of the email, including all routing information.
You also may report phishing email to
reportphishing@antiphishing.org.
The Anti-Phishing Working Group, a consortium of ISPs, security vendors, financial
institutions and law enforcement agencies, uses these reports to fight phishing.
Divulged Personal Information
If you believe you have mistakenly
given your personal information to a fraudster, file a complaint at ftc.gov,*
and then visit the Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft website at
www.consumer.gov/idtheft* to learn how to minimize your
risk of damage from a potential theft of your identity.
Parents
Parental controls are
provided by most ISPs, or are sold as separate software. Remember that no software
can substitute for parental supervision. Talk to your kids about safe computing
practices, as well as the things they're seeing and doing online.
Changes to This Privacy Statement
We will occasionally update this privacy statement to reflect
changes in our services a customer feedback.
When we post changes to this statement, we will
revise the “last updated date at the top of the statement. If there are material
changes to this statement or in how Telava will use your personal information, we
will notify you either by prominently posting a notice of such changes prior to
implementing the change or by directly sending you a notification. We encourage you to periodically
review this statement to be informed of how Telava is protecting your information.
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