ACCEPTABLE TERMS OF USE

Acceptable Terms of Use
By using our web hosting services, you agree to comply with our acceptable usage policy. We expect you to possess a basic knowledge of the Internet and computer function. We also expect you to have access to a computer which is connected to the Internet to use our services. The spirit of this policy is to guide you to use the Alden Hosting service with due regard to the rights of other Internet users and in conformity with the Alden Hosting network environment.

Illegal Usage
Alden Hosting servers may be used for lawful purposes only. Transmission, storage, or distribution of any information, data or material in violation of any applicable law or regulation is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, trademark, trade secret or other intellectual property right used without proper authorization, and material that is obscene, defamatory, constitutes an illegal threat, or violates export control laws. Examples of non-acceptable content or links: Pirated software, Hacker's programs or archives, Warez sites, and IRC bots. The subscriber to Alden Hosting service agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Alden Hosting from any claims resulting from the use of the service that damages the subscriber or any other party.

Alden Hosting will be the sole arbiter as to what constitutes a violation of this provision.

Adult Content
Due to special system and network requirements of adult oriented sites, pornography and sex-related merchandising are prohibited. This includes sites that may infer sexual content, or links to adult content elsewhere. This is also true for sites that promote any illegal activity or content that may be damaging to our servers or any other server on the Internet. Links to such materials are also prohibited.

Security
Violations of system or network security are prohibited, and may result in criminal and civil liability. Examples include, but are not limited to the following: Unauthorized access, use, probe, or scan of a system's security or authentication measures, data or traffic. Interference with service to any user, host or network including, without limitation, mail bombing, flooding, deliberate attempts to overload a system and broadcast attacks. Forging of any TCP-IP packet header or any part of the header information in an Email or a newsgroup posting.

Server Resource
Any web site that uses a high amount of server resources (such as, but not limited to, CPU time, memory usage, and network resources) will be given an option of either paying extra (which depends on the resource needed) or reducing the resource used to an acceptable level. Alden Hosting shall be the sole arbiter of what is considered to be a high server usage level.

All shared web hosting accounts come with an initial minimal file allowance of 5,000 files per domain. Each block of 5,000 files after the initial 5,000 will be charged at $9.95/month rate. Any hosting account deemed to be adversely affecting the server performance or the network integrity will be shut down without prior notice.

CGI Scripts
CGI script sharing with domains not hosted by Alden Hosting is not allowed. Any cgi-scripts deemed to be adversely affecting the server performance or the network integrity will be shut down without prior notice.

Chat Rooms
Alden Hosting does not allow clients to install their own chat rooms. Chat rooms tend to be large system hogs and we cannot permit it as an account option.

Background Running Programs and Cron Jobs
Alden Hosting may allow programs to run in the background. These programs will be considered on an individual basis and an extra charge will be incurred based on system resources used and operational maintenance needed. If you wish to run background programs please contact us at before doing so.

IRC (Internet Relay Chat)
Alden Hosting does not allow IRC or IRC bots to be operated on our servers.

UCE (Unsolicited Commerce Email) - SPAM
Spamming, or the sending of mass unsolicited Email, from or through an Alden Hosting server or using an Email address that is maintained on an Alden Hosting machine is STRICTLY prohibited. Alden Hosting will be the sole arbiter as to what constitutes a violation of this provision. If you engage in any of the foregoing activities using the service of another ISP or IPP, but channeling activities through an Alden Hosting server as a maildrop for responses, you are in violation. Violators will be assessed a minimum of $200.00 fine and will face an immediate suspension.

Server Abuse
Any attempts to undermine or cause harm to an Alden Hosting server or customer of Alden Hosting is strictly prohibited.

Any sub-networks of Alden Hosting and dedicated servers must adhere to the above policies. The failure to meet or follow any of the above guidelines are grounds for account deactivation. We reserve the right to remove any account without prior notice.

Software Distribution
Alden Hosting's shared Web Hosting accounts are not to be used for the purposes of distributing software and multimedia products. If you wish to distribute software and/or multimedia files, please contact for special arrangements.

Multimedia Files
Multimedia files are defined as any graphics, audio, or video files. Alden Hosting accounts are not to be used for the purposes of distributing and storing an unusual amount of multimedia files. Any web site whose disk space usage for storing the multimedia files exceed 70% of its total usage, either in terms of total size or number of files, will be deemed to be using an unusual amount of multimedia files.

Database
MySQL databases on shared plans are part of your total disk space allocated. For dedicated servers, there is no limit and can be as large as available space on your disk drive.

Actions Taken by Alden Hosting
When Alden Hosting becomes aware of an alleged violation of its Acceptable Use Policy, Alden Hosting will initiate an investigation. During the investigation, Alden Hosting may restrict Customer's access in order to prevent further possible unauthorized activity. Depending on the severity of the violation, Alden Hosting may, at its sole discretion, restrict, suspend, or terminate Customer's account and/or pursue other civil remedies. If such violation is a criminal offense, Alden Hosting will notify the appropriate law enforcement department of such violation.

Alden Hosting does not issue any credit if you are in violation of any of Alden Hosting's policies.

Modification
Alden Hosting reserves the right to add, delete, or modify any provisions of this policy at any time without notice.