Private Policy

Every computer connected to the Internet is given a domain name and a set of numbers, that serve as that computer's "Internet Protocol" IP address. When a visitor requests a page from any Web site within the Fortin Network, our Web servers automatically recognize that visitor's domain name and IP address. The domain name and IP address reveal nothing personal about you other than the IP address from which you have accessed our site. We use this information to examine our traffic in aggregate, and to investigate misuse of the Fortin Network, its users, or to cooperate with law enforcement. See also Will you disclose the information you collect to outside third parties? We do not collect and evaluate this information for specific individuals. Our Web servers do not automatically record e-mail addresses of the visitors.

From time to time, Fortin or its advertisers may send a "cookie" to your computer. A cookie is a small piece of data that is sent to your Internet browser from a Web server and stored on your computer's hard drive. A cookie can't read data off of your computer hard disk or read cookie files created by other Web sites. Cookies do not damage your system. We use cookies to identify which areas of Fortin's Network you have visited or customized, so the next time you visit, those pages may be readily accessible. Our advertisers may also use cookies to ascertain how many times you've seen an advertisement. Our advertisers and we may use this information to better personalize the content, banners, and promotions that you see on our site. You can choose whether to accept cookies by changing the settings of your Internet browser. You can reset your browser to refuse all cookies, or allow your browser to show you when a cookie is being sent. If you choose not to accept these cookies, your experience at our Site and other Web sites may be diminished and some features may not work as intended.

Fortin and its advertisers may use single-pixel gif images, sometimes referred to as web bugs or web beacons, to count Web page accesses and gather some general statistical information. Fortin does not gather personal information through the use of these images. Our advertisers may use single-pixel gifs that can track personal information from cookies that may have been previously placed on a user's computer by an advertiser.

Fortin offers access to some services that require registration. We may use your registration contact information to send notification to you of Fortin products and services by e-mail and/or postal mail. We also may share that information with our members. We may also use your IP address internally and share it with third parties.

We may also request your e-mail address or mailing address for the purposes of conducting a survey or to provide additional services (for example, subscriptions to e-mail newsletters, announcement lists or information about conferences and trade shows). Whenever we request the identity of a visitor, we will clearly indicate the purpose of the inquiry before the information is requested. We maintain a strict "No-Spam" policy that means that we do not sell, rent, or otherwise give your e-mail address to a third-party, without your consent or as permitted by this Privacy Policy.

We may from time to time send e-mail announcing new Fortin products and services. Except as stated above, Fortin will not send you e-mail that you have not agreed to receive. If you choose to supply your postal address in an online form, you may receive postal mailings from other third party companies.

When you sign up for an Fortin discussion forum, your name or alias is recorded solely for purposes of maintaining your own account within the forums. This information is not used to monitor your activity within a forum, nor is it used to identify you outside the Fortin Network.

When you register for a contest or other promotion, we may ask for your name, address, and e-mail address so we can administer the contest and notify winners.

When you use co-branded services, or those provided by a third party, within the Fortin Network, your information may be passed to the co-brand or third party provider and their use of your information is subject to their applicable privacy policies.

If you are purchasing something from an Fortin media property, we and any third party provider, need to know your name, e-mail address, mailing address, credit card number and expiration date. This allows us, or third party providers, to process and fulfill your order and to notify you of your order status. This information may also be used by us to notify you of related products and services. Credit card and e-mail information will not be shared or sold to third parties for any purpose except as provided in this Privacy Policy without your express permission.

Certain Fortin media properties use a shopping cart feature that safeguards this information by using industry standard SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encrypted servers. SSL codes the information transferred between you and the server, rendering it unreadable to anyone trying to intercept the information. Other Fortin media properties do not use SSL and thereby do not offer a secure coded way to transfer information.

Wherever Fortin collects personal information we make an effort to include a link to this Privacy Policy on that page.

Fortin will disclose personal information and/or an IP address, when required by law or in the good-faith belief that such action is necessary to:

1. Cooperate with the investigations of purported unlawful activities and conform to the edicts of the law or comply with legal process served on Fortin,
2. Protect and defend the rights or property of the Fortin Network of sites and related properties, or visitors to the Fortin Network of sites and related properties,
3. Identify persons who may be violating the law, the Fortin legal notice and Web site User Agreement, the rights of third parties, or otherwise misusing the Fortin Network or its related properties,
4. Fulfill a user's order or request.

Fortin uses reasonable precautions to keep the information disclosed to us secure. Fortin reserves the right to transfer all such information in connection with the sale of all or part of Fortin's capital stock or assets. Furthermore, we are not responsible for any breach of security or for any actions of any third parties that receive the information. We are not responsible for such third party privacy policies or how they treat information about their users

See below, What else should I know about my privacy when online? See What information do you collect when I register for something.

The Fortin Network contains many hyperlinks to third party Web sites. The Fortin Network may also contain advertisements of third parties. Fortin is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such third party Web sites or advertisers. Fortin does not share any of the individual personal information you provide Fortin with the third parties to which Fortin links, except as stated elsewhere within this Privacy Policy, although Fortin may share general, aggregate data with such third parties (such as how many people use our site). Please check with those Web sites to determine their privacy policy.

Please keep in mind that whenever you voluntarily disclose personal information online - for example through e-mail, discussion lists, or elsewhere - that information can be collected and used by others. In short, if you post personal information online that is accessible to the public, you may receive unsolicited messages from other parties in return.

Ultimately, you are solely responsible for maintaining the secrecy of your personal information. Please be careful and responsible whenever you're online.

By using the Fortin Network, you consent to the collection and use of information by Fortin as specified above. If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes on this page so that you are always aware of what information we collect, how we use it, and under what circumstances we disclose it.

Please note that your use of the Fortin Network of Web sites is governed by our Legal Notice.