1) Ellsworth Publishing Co. (EPC) utilizes digital signatures with all its online delivered software to ensure that EPC programs that run on clients machines have not been tampered with. Users will notice this security feature prior to the software running on the user's system (the user will have to 'grant' access for EPC programs to run).

2) The information stored on EPC systems is entirely dependent upon what instructors (users) choose to enter for their students. If privacy is of supreme concern, instructors can simply assign each student a number or letter. There is no requirement on what users must use for password or identification purposes. Instructors will organize their classes and students in their own manner, subject to their district Internet policies. Generally, EPC views the data being stored as very low risk and very undesirable for anyone but the teacher for grading purposes, personally identifiable information is very limited (student name and password--subject to what is entered by the instructor). There are no requirements nor prompts for users': age, gender, social security number, address information, etc.

3) EPC does not collect nor log IP information of users, EXCEPT in correlation with use of the Message Center. Each message sent (by the instructor or student) is tagged with the user's IP address, computer name, and date/time sent. This feature was added to the system to prevent abuse by student users sending inappropriate messages to instructor/admins.

4) How is system data protected?

EPC servers utilize firewalls and enterprise grade Linux operating systems, that replicate data across multiple (raided) systems to ensure minimal downtime in case of hardware failures. In the case of a catastrophic event at a data center, EPC utilizes nightly encrypted backups to an offsite location.

5) How does EPC use system data?

EPC does hope to be able to use aggregate data from student progress to determine the statistical effectiveness of the keyboarding programs. Example: Using lesson averages from 50,000 student files to determine median increases in speed and proficiency. This information would be aggregate and non-specific to any single or group of users. The actual school information, logins/passwords, teacher names, student names, are not saved but for short term recovery needs (if an instructor accidentally deletes a student's file, it can be recovered within 3 weeks).

For users of CD installed software:

As a CD software licensee you agree to the following:

1. Be honest and have integrity: Prevent unauthorized and/or illegal users from using EPC software. This is a SINGLE USER license, for use by a single person. It is illegal to re-sell or re-distibute this software in any form. Thousands of hours went into creating and maintaining the software you are using.
2. You will not duplicate nor use the software for resale, rental, or loan--part of being honest.
3. Abide by the Copyright Laws of the United States. You will not: (1) attempt to reverse engineer EPC software, (2) prepare an alternative hardware version or format based on this EPC software, or (3) incorporate EPC software with other software. You will not copy any part of the accompanying textbook.
4. To hold EPC harmless in the event of financial, data, or other losses should they occur while using or installing EPC software. 

For users of Internet based software (www.KeyboardingOnline.com):

As a web software licensee you agree to the following:

1. Be honest and have integrity: Prevent unauthorized and/or illegal users from using EPC software. Thousands of hours went into creating and maintaining the software you are using.
2. Users may only access the software through an enrollment at an education institution that has selected to use KeyboardingOnline.com software.
3. You will not attempt to disrupt, spam, or prevent other users from accessing software--part of being honest. It will also help you immensely to listen to your instructor, read directions, and progress through the lessons adhering to your instructor's syllabus or course outline :)
4. Abide by the Copyright Laws of the United States. You will not: (1) attempt to reverse engineer EPC software, (2) prepare an alternative version or format based on this EPC software, or (3) incorporate EPC software with other software. If you received the CD as part of a textbook package, you will not copy any part of the accompanying textbook.
5. To hold EPC harmless in the event of financial, data, or other losses should they occur while using or installing EPC software.
6. Attention serial code users (college/adult users): If your educational institution has selected access to www.KeyboardingOnline.com through verification of an online access code, please note that each code is unique and is valid for a single student, for a single software title. In most cases, retaking a course will require an additional serial code, UNLESS you are continuing with the same file from a previous semester.
7. Enjoy the course! Put in the time and effort and you will finish with an excellent skill! Good keyboarding skills will help you be more productive in almost any career you undertake.