All data collected on this website is stored in an encrypted database, at the web hosting facility. The web and database hosting are managed by 1&1 IONOS (www.ionos.com). The database itself is encrypted with a password. The password is not stored on the file system - it is hashed upon entry and compared to the hashed version. The database is only accessible by the website itself and by a ME Research administrator logging in through a password protected 1&1 Admin panel. The database resides on its own server and is not shared with any other service nor any other 1&1 web hosting client. The database and website are backed up daily by 1&1 and stored only on the dedicated server.
Data Protection
1&1 IONOS employs firewalls to avoid and prevent attacks on its hosted sites. 1&1 also runs a virus scan against all its websites daily to identify suspicious and malicious files or programs. Furthermore, ME Research uses Wordfence, a Wordpress service to block attacks from known offending IP addresses and to protect against hacks (more details can be found at: www.wordfence.com). My personal access to the website is through SFTP (secure file transfer) and HTTPS (encrypted web browsing), both secured protocols. The site uses an SSL certificate for verification of website ownership (you can verify it at https://www.digicert.com/help/). Furthermore, the website uses SiteLock (www.sitelock.com) as an added layer of website security - the website is scanned daily and the logo (bottom left of each page) is updated daily.
Data Distribution
None of the data collected on this website is distributed. As described on this website's pages, members' name and contact details are not sent to researchers. ME Research does not claim every member actually has ME; it is up to the qualified researcher to make that assessment. The researcher will screen everyone who wishes to participate in their study, whether they come from ME Research or not. At some point in the future, aggregated data may be provided to a researcher who asks to know the number having a specific criteria. For example, a researcher may be interested in how many members have headaches, or how many members live in eastern Europe or are females over age of 50. Regardless of the answer it is up the member to decide and contact the researcher. As stated in the Privacy Policy, the only time personal information may be distributed outside is if law enforcement or government officials request it, with justification. If this ever occurs, the affected member or members will be notified.
If anyone has questions not answered here or any of the points above could be clarified, please click the Feedback link and we will address your comments. Thank you.
- Email Address
- Name
- Country of Residence
- City
- Province/State/Region
- Postal Code
- Type of Member (sufferer or not)
- Gender
- Birth Date
- Start of Condition
- Ability to Work
- Condition Progression
- Symptopms
- Diagnosed with CFS/ME
- When Diagnosed
- Natural Treatments
- Drug Treatments