Glossary
Aggregate Information
The statistical information that may be collected by a Web site, or other source, but is not personally identifiable. Examples of Aggregate Information include, but are not limited, to demographics, domain names, and Web site traffic.
Authentication
Process that establishes positive ID of a user, device, or other entity in a computer system. Reliable verification plays an important role in ensuring privacy.
Browser
A navigational program run on a client's computer for viewing World Wide Web pages. Examples include Netscape and Microsoft's Internet Explorer.
Child
A child is identified, in accordance with the U.S. Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA), as someone under the age of thirteen (13).
Cookie
A small text file of information that certain Web sites plant on a user's hard drive while the user is browsing the Web site. A Cookie can contain information such as user ID, user preferences, archive shopping cart information, etc. Cookies can contain Personally Identifiable Information (as defined below).
Disclosed to a third party
Given to non-Pfizer persons or organizations under an agreement governing use.
Domain Name
The unique name that identifies a Web site, such as "Pfizer" in www.pfizer.com.
E-mail/e-mail
Abbreviation for Electronic Mail. Messages sent from one person to another via computer. E-mail can also be sent automatically to a large number of addresses (Mailing List).
Encryption
Scrambling data into a private code to ensure secure transmission.
Firewall
Specialized software and/or hardware designed to prohibit unauthorized access to information on a computer network.
Fulfillment house
A business contracted with to process and deliver orders for products.
Home Page
The first page of a Web site. Also, the Web site that automatically loads each time you launch your Browser.
Host
A computer on a network that is a repository for services available to other computers on the network. It is quite common to have one host machine provide several services such as WWW and USENET.
HTML
Abbreviation for Hypertext Markup Language, the World Wide Web's standard computer language.
Hyperlink
A hyperlink is a clickable link to another Web page or site, a connection between two anchors. Clicking on one anchor will take you to the linked anchor. Can be within the same document/page or two totally different documents.
Internet Protocol (IP) Address
The numbers that are translated into a domain name (e.g., pfizer.com). The address is a string of four numbers separated by periods (such as 111.22.3.444) used to represent a computer or other device on the Internet.
Link
Another name for a hyperlink.
Log Files
A record of Web activity that automatically saves use and information such as the date, time, IP address, HTTP status, bytes sent, and bytes received.
Opt-in
The option giving the consumer complete control over the collection and dissemination of his/her personal information. A site that provides this option is stating that it will not gather or track Personally Identifiable Information about the consumer unless he/she knowingly provides such information and consents to the collection and use of such information. The company must have the consumer's permission prior to collecting or using the information.
Opt-out
The option whereby consumer must actively chose to prevent Personally Identifiable Information from being used by a particular Web site or shared with third parties. Typically, the consumer is asked to choose to Opt Out to prevent the Host from using his/her information.
Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
Information that can be traced back to a specific individual user, e.g., name, postal address, e-mail address, telephone number, or Social Security number. Personal user preferences tracked by a Web site via a "Cookie" (see definition above) are also considered personally identifiable when linked to other Personally Identifiable Information provided by the user. (Compare With Aggregate Information.)
Privacy Officer
Individual formally appointed by a designated approving authority to ensure that the provisions of all applicable privacy and security directives are implemented throughout the life cycle of an automated information system network.
Privacy Policy
The statement on a Web site of what personal information is collected by the site, how it will be used, who it will be shared with, and what options there are for controlling how the information will be used.
Recurring informational/promotional e-mail
E-mail sent from time to time to give individuals information or advise them of product offerings.
Security Policies
The set of laws, rules, and practices that regulate how an organization manages, protects, and distributes sensitive information.
Subsidiary
A wholly controlled part of the company.
Third Party
A person or organization not internal to Pfizer.
URL
Uniform Resource Locator, the address of documents and other resources on the World Wide Web. The first part of the address indicates what protocol to use, and the second part specifies the IP Address or the Domain Name where the resource is located.
Web Beacon or Bug
A small image in an HTML page with all dimensions set to 1 pixel. Because of its insignificant size, it is not visible but it is used to pass information anonymously to third party sites. Mainly used by advertisers.
Webmaster
The person responsible for maintaining and updating a Web site.
Web site
A collection of pages or files on the World Wide Web that are linked together and maintained by a company, organization, or individual.
