University of Sunderland

Privacy Policy

This policy explains what information is gathered from web clients visiting the University of Sunderland's central web server, and how that information is used.

Logfiles

The University of Sunderland's central web server tracks requests made of it to centrally held log files. Log files can contain any or all of the following types of data:

• The date and time of connection
• Identification of the file(s) requested
• Whether the request was successful
• The size (in bytes) sent in response
• The referring page (where the client came from), as supplied by the client browser
• The software used to access the server, as supplied by the client browser

Information gathered is used for server system administration, identifying broken links, and for producing usage statistics. Logged information may be kept indefinitely. Log files do not contain any personal information.

The University of Sunderland uses the following log reporting service on its web site to measure and analyse visitor information.

• Google Analytics. For more information on Google Analytics and the kind of information that Google collects and processes, please visit Google's privacy centre.

Examples of data collected automatically from all users include:

• the Internet protocol (IP) address;
• computer and connection information such as browser type and version, operating system, and platform;
• including date and time, and content viewed or searched for on the Site.
  

Cookies

Cookies are small files that are sent from the web server to the client's computer via the client's browser. They are then stored in the client's computer as text files and passed back to the server. Cookies are generally used to identify users and on occasion, prepare customized Web pages for them. Cookies may remain on the client's computer merely for the duration of the session (visit) or they may remain indefinitely. Most standard web browsers may be configured to refuse cookies.

The University of Sunderland does not use cookies extensively on its servers at present. Such cookies that are used do not contain any personal information and cannot be used to identify an individual user.

To learn how to control and delete cookies, the following cookie help resource is available:

• About cookies

Web forms

Forms on the University of Sunderland web site may request clients to supply personal details, bank details and/or credit card details in order to receive goods or services, or in order to make donations. Where appropriate, such forms operate over secure connections so that data is safeguarded.

By supplying such information the client consents to the University storing the information for period of time appropriate to the supply of the goods or services requested. Personal information provided will only be used for the purpose stated and will not be sold, licensed or traded to third parties.

Personal information collected and/or processed by the University is held in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998.

The University of Sunderland takes reasonable efforts to ensure that the contents of its website(s) are accurate; however, it cannot give any warranty that this is the case. The University may change web content at any time without notice.

The University of Sunderland website includes links to third party websites. These links are used to provide further information and are not intended as an endorsement of such websites and/or their content.