All State of Rhode Island computer systems are subject to monitoring at all times to assure proper functioning of the systems, to provide security for the computer systems' operations and the information contained therein, to prevent unauthorized use, and to deter and investigate violations of the law. There is no reasonable expectation of privacy in the use of this public computer system, save in areas designated and labeled as being presented by our secure server.
We may collect some or all of the following information about visitors who view or download information from our Web sites:
Information | Definition |
---|---|
Date | Date the visit occurred. |
Time | Time the visit occurred. |
Client IP | Unique Internet Protocol (IP) address of the website visitor. IP address recorded is normally that of the visitor's Internet Service Provider, e.g., aol.com if the visitor connects from an America Online account. |
Server IP | Unique Internet Protocol (IP) address of the Rhode Island State Government web server accessed. |
HTTP Status | Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) error code, e.g., "404 Requested Page Not Found." |
HTTP Request URL | Identifies the web page or file requested by the website visitor. |
Bytes Sent | Amount of data sent from the web server to website visitor during that connection. |
Bytes Received | Amount of data sent from website visitor to the web server. |
User Agent | Type of web browser or other client software that made request to the web server. |
Referrer | Uniform Resource Locator (URL) that referred to the requested file. |
Protocol Version | Version of HTTP used by the visitor's web browser software |
The information we collect is used to improve the content of our Web services and help us understand how people are using our services. We analyze our web site logs to continually improve the value of the materials available on our site. The information in our web site logs is not personally identifiable, and we make no attempt to link it with the individuals that browse our web site. Some of this statistical information, such as a running count of the number of visitors, may be displayed on the website or shared with other state governments to aid in the provision of better service to the public.
The Instant Answers service is RI.gov's live customer service application that allows visitors to "chat" in real-time with the Providence Public Library Reference Department in its role as the Statewide Reference Resource Center, which is funded through the Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services. The Instant Answers service requires that certain information be collected and maintained. In addition to IP address, browser type, date and time of the visit, and the referring webpage, transcripts of the chats are saved for statistical, demographic, and/or customer service purposes. Some information is also collected through chat surveys on a volunteer basis.