NIAID automatically collects a limited amount of information about the use of its website, primarily for statistical purposes (that is, to measure the numbers of visitors to various sections of the site). This information also may be helpful when we consider changes to the website to make it more useful to visitors. We make no attempts to identify individual users or their usage habits, except when it may be required for authorized law enforcement investigations.
NIAID also uses online surveys to collect opinions and feedback from a random sample of visitors. NIAID uses the Foresee Results’ American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) online survey to get feedback and data on visitors’ satisfaction with the NIAID website. This survey does not collect personally identifiable information (PII). Participation in the survey is voluntary. If you decline the survey, you still have access to the identical information and resources on the NIAID website as those who do take the survey. Answers to the survey help NIAID improve its website, making easier to use and more responsive to the needs of visitors.
NIAID staff analyzes and reports on the aggregated data from the ACSI survey. The reports are available only to NIAID website managers, members of their teams, and other designated staff who need this information to perform their duties.
How NIAID Uses Cookies
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memo M-10-22, Guidance for Online Use of Web Measurement and Customization Technologies, allows federal agencies to use session and persistent cookies.
When you visit any website, its server may generate a piece of text known as a "cookie" to place on your computer. The cookie allows the server to "remember" specific information about your visit while you are connected. The cookie makes it easier to use some features of Web pages. Requests to send cookies from NIAID’s Web pages are designed to collect information about your browser session only; they do not collect personal information about you.
There are two types of cookies: single session (temporary) and multi-session (persistent). Session cookies last only as long as your Web browser is open. Once you close your browser, the cookie disappears. Persistent cookies are stored on your computer for longer periods.
How Are Temporary "Session” Cookies Used?
We use session cookies for technical purposes such as improving navigation through our site. These cookies let our server know that you are continuing a visit to our site. The "session" cookie is not permanently stored on your computer. The cookie and the information about your visit are automatically destroyed shortly after you close your browser to end the session.
The OMB Memo 10-22 Guidance defines our use of session cookies as “Usage Tier 1—Single Session.” The policy says, “This tier encompasses any use of single session Web measurement and customization technologies.”
How Are "Persistent” Cookies Used?
The OMB Memo M-10-22, Guidance for Online Use of Web Measurement and Customization Technologies, allows federal agencies to use persistent cookies in addition to temporary session cookies.
We use persistent cookies to help us differentiate between new and returning visitors to the NIAID website. Persistent cookies remain on your computer between visits to our site until they expire. We do not use this technology to identify you or any other site visitor.
NIAID is running the ACSI survey on its website, which uses "persistent" cookies to block repeated invitations to take the ACSI survey. We also use persistent cookies to enable NIAID to measure and understand how new and returning visitors use our site over time. NIAID uses the following analytic tools: WebTrends, Google Analytics and Crazy Egg.
The OMB Memo 10-22 Guidance defines our use of persistent cookies as “Usage Tier 2—Multi-session without Personally Identifiable Information (PII).” The policy says, “This tier encompasses any use of multi-session Web measurement and customization technologies when no PII is collected.”
How to Opt Out or Disable Cookies
If you do not wish to have session or persistent cookies placed on your computer, you can disable them using your Web browser. If you opt out of cookies, you will still have access to all the information and resources on the NIAID website.
Instructions for disabling or opting out of cookies in the most popular browsers are located at http://www.usa.gov/optout_instructions.shtml. Please note that by following the instructions to opt out of cookies, you will disable cookies from all sources, not just those from the NIAID site.
How Is Personal Information Protected?
You do not have to give us personal information to visit the NIAID website.
If you choose to give us additional information about yourself through an email message, form, survey, conference registration, etc., we keep the information only as long as needed to respond to your question or to fulfill the stated purpose of the communication.
Voluntarily Submitted Information
For further information about NIH privacy policy, please contact the NIH Senior Official for Privacy at privacy@mail.nih.gov, call 301-451-3426, or visit http://oma.od.nih.gov/ms/privacy/privacyact.html.
Disclosure
NIAID does not disclose, give, sell, or transfer any personal information about our website visitors, unless required for law enforcement or by statute.
Site Security
The U.S. government maintains the NIAID website. It is protected by various provisions of Title 18, U.S. Code. Violations of Title 18 are subject to criminal prosecution in federal court.
For site security purposes and to ensure that this service remains available to all users, we use software programs to monitor traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information or otherwise cause damage. In the event of authorized law enforcement investigations, and pursuant to any required legal process, information from these sources may be used to help identify a person.