Privacy and our website

We collect two types of information through our website:

1. Personal or individually identifiable information that you provide to us
2. Standard web server/visitor traffic information, regarding overall website traffic patterns. Our web server collects this basic information as part of their web log process. The logs include:
   
   • Service provider IP addresses
   • Browser versions
   • Referring websites
   • Duration of visits
   • Total visitor traffic.

This information helps us to understand how people use our website and assists us in managing our site to better serve our audience.
Esher does not pass Standard web server/visitor traffic information onto any other third party, other than Google Analytics for site usage monitoring, and other than required by the laws of the Commonwealth and/or States of Australia, e.g. an applicable court order.

Member Passwords

Members’ passwords have been encrypted (technically a salted hash) in our database and no one, including moderators and administrators of Esher, have access to them. To provide extra password security, members are encouraged to choose hard to guess passwords, such as a mixture of letters and numbers. Members should also not use the same password for all their online activities.

Cookies and browser information

The Esher site software uses HTTP cookies to store session information and a login token that allows the site to remember you should you chose that option.
Esher does use Google Analytics to monitor site usage but not Google advertising.
Esher does not use cookies or any other mechanism (other than Google Analytics) to track behaviour (other than web logs as described above) nor does Esher pass that information onto any other third party.  More information on cookies is available here.

Individually identifiable information and how we use it

There are instances when Esher may collect individually identifiable information from its web users, e.g. member information, event registration, product ordering, merchandise sales etc.

First Name and Surname, Email Address, Street Address, Suburb/Town, State, Postcode, Telephone may be collected. In addition users may choose to provide other personal information.

In the case of financial transactions conducted online we process standard credit card information (card type, card number, expiry date) via a secure, encrypted SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) session using Paypal.
SSL is the standard for secure web transactions. We maintain records of all financial transactions.

Occasionally, Esher may contact individuals who have provided their individually identifiable information through the website in order to:

• Conduct surveys and gather feedback to improve our quality of service to you.
• Supply news and information.

Spam and Privacy

Esher is a member of a global anti-spam network. If a member transmits or presents Spam anywhere on the Esher website, we reserve the right to provide any/all information about that member stored within the site databases, to this anti-spam network.

Esher will not sell, supply, or allow use of the member database, for any reasons other than those outlined elsewhere in this Privacy Statement.

Confidentiality

We respect your privacy. Esher complies with the National Privacy Act 1988 (Commonwealth of Australia), specifically in relation to the amendments made by the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 (Commonwealth of Australia).

Our commitment to the security of confidentiality is resolute and we aim to apply best practice to ensure privacy is protected and respected.

Privacy management is a continuous and evolving process and we regularly update our practices to accommodate changes in technology, the organisation’s function and legislation.

Inherent Risk of Blogs/Forums/Message Boards

Although Esher will takes all reasonable precautions in our power to protect your personal privacy, please be aware that no security measures are perfect or impenetrable.

All personal information shared with us needs to be at your own risk. We also cannot be responsible for the inappropriate actions of others, either on or off the site.

A privacy complaints procedure

For further information about any matter relating to privacy please contact our Privacy Officer:

Mr Adrian Hall via the contact form.