 |
Legal AUP
General Statement: Future Hosting is dedicated to the unrestricted
free transmission of information via the Internet and its many
resources. Our goal is to deliver enterprise quality
on-demand IT services to all of our customers while serving as
the medium of exchange for transmission of all information. The
storage, distribution, and exchange of information (content)
is the Internet's single most valuable feature. Future Hosting
is dedicated to protecting the source and distribution of information
and protecting the rights and privileges of those utilizing it.
Future Hosting does not purport to be the content police; our
duty in the process of information dissemination is simply to
act as conduit between interested parties. Not withstanding anything
found herein, Future Hosting follows all local, state and federal
laws
pursuant to the services delivered over the internet and directly
related to our network and internal systems. The purpose of the
acceptable use policy is to inform all Customers of anticipated
customer use. Due to the myriad of possibilities in maintaining
a network comprised of thousands of servers, this document is
intended to act as a guideline to service and not to be all encompassing.
Public Network: The primary purpose of the Future Hosting
public network is to transmit information (packets) to and
from Customer servers and data storage services. Proper use
of the public network is to utilize the network in any way
so long as you do not violate any local, state, or federal
laws or generate harm to the network or interfere with the
use of services of other users utilizing the same network.
All Customers are granted equal access to the public network.
Violation, misuse, or interference of the public network will
result in a violation of the AUP and shall result in methods
of resolution under the acceptable use policy.
Private Network: The primary purpose of the Future Hosting
private network is to allow secure private network connectivity
to the private backend network directly connecting Customer
servers and Company delivered services. Proper use of the private
network is the upload/download of content, server administration,
transmission of information between servers, transmission of
information between servers and Company servers, secure private
administration of services, data retrieval, console access,
and true out of band management of their entire IT environment.
The private network can also be utilized for service access
during periods of non-payment, copyright infringement, spam
abuse, service interruption or other instances requiring server
administration. All Customers are granted equal access to the
private secure network to securely manage their services. Connectivity
to the private network is granted on an unrestricted basis
in eight (8) hour increments. Dedicated connections to the
private network are available through the sales team. Violation,
misuse, or interference of the private network will result
in a violation of the AUP and shall result in methods of resolution
under the acceptable use policy.
Security Services: The primary purpose of the Future Hosting
standard security services is to assist the Customer in the
protection, management, update, and overall stability of the
outsourced IT environment. All Future Hosting services include
network intrusion detection systems and denial of service mitigation
via technology from 3Com (Tipping Point). These services are
free of charge and are intended to mitigate or remove security
risks associated with their perspective technologies. Future
Hosting also monitors all aggregate network traffic via Arbor
networks and router netflow statistics for traffic analysis.
Future Hosting also supplies Microsoft update servers and Redhat
update servers located on the private network for private secure
update services. These services are included free of charge
and are intended to assist Customers in the OS management of
their servers. Other security services offered for a fee are
covered via the terms of the individual services. These services
include, but are not limited to: firewalls, host IDS, service
monitors and similar type products and services. Outside of
the global network security services described above, Customers
are required and obligated to maintain security related to
Customer managed servers. The management of dedicated servers
requires basic security management including password management,
port management, OS updates, application updates, security
policy settings and more. The Customer is ultimately responsible
for individual server and VPS security unless contracted security
services are purchased. Any violation of the security services
included in basic services will be addressed pursuant to the
methods
of resolution under the acceptable use policy.
Server Content: Future Hosting does not actively monitor dedicated
server content for review. Future Hosting believes in the free
dissemination of information via our services. Dedicated server
content will only be reviewed upon complaint by verified third
parties. Content that does not violate local, state and federal
law or the acceptable use policy is deemed in compliance and
shall remain intact. Legal adult content is allowed on Future
Hosting dedicated servers and Virtual Private Servers. Content
deemed in violation will be addressed pursuant to the methods
of resolution under the acceptable use policy. Adult content
is not permitted on Future Hosting shared packages unless specifically
authorized in writing by Future Hosting.
DNS Services: Future Hosting supplies redundant domain names
services for all customers purchasing dedicated services. These
services include the use of authoritative name servers for
public resolution of domain names and private domain name resolvers
located on the private service network. The DNS services are
fully managed and maintained by Future Hosting with Customer
specific domain name management through the online customer
help desk. In rare instances, where extreme intensive loads
(dns lookups) utilize disproportionate resources of the redundant
DNS systems, Future Hosting will notify Customer of potential
violation of the acceptable use policy. Customers requiring
such DNS services will be instructed to perform dedicated DNS
services on customer managed equipment. Violation of DNS services
will result in methods of resolution under the acceptable use
policy.
Virtual Private Servers: Virtual Private Server's are not
permitted to exceed 20% CPU utalization at any given time.
In the event your Virtual Private Server uses more than 20%
of the CPU, Future Hosting will generate a ticket under your
e-mail address to find an alternative solution for your hosting
needs. Future Hosting reserves the right to suspend your Virtual
Private Server until we find a more appropriate solution for
your needs.
IP Addresses: All Internet Protocol (IP) Addresses are owned
and managed by Future Hosting. IP Addresses are non-transferable
from Future Hosting and Customer retains no ownership or transfer
rights to IP Addresses. All IP Addresses are assigned by the
Future Hosting engineering team on a per VLAN, per server basis.
Attempted use of IP addresses not originally allocated for
use or IP addresses use on non-assigned VLANs or servers is
a violation of the acceptable use policy. Violation of the
IP Address policy will result in methods of resolution under
the acceptable use policy. All IP Addresses are currently registered
to Future Hosting, LLC. via provider and Arin.net assignments.
Private IP assignments are available to qualified Customers.
IRC: Future Hosting allows the use of private internet relay
chat servers for communication among private parties. Future
Hosting absolutely prohibits the use of IRC servers connected
to public IRC networks or servers. IRC servers that result
in interference of service, malicious network activity or increased
demand on network security services are in direct violation
of the acceptable use policy. Violation of the IRC policy will
result in methods of resolution under the acceptable use policy.
Use of IRC is only permitted on dedicated servers.
Peer to Peer: Future Hosting allows the use of internet peer
to peer software for file sharing purposes. Future Hosting
highly recommends strict oversight and management of peer to
peer software environments due to the propensity to violate
copyright law by sharing commercial software or copyright protected
material. The sharing of copyright protected software and material
is NOT allowed and is in direct violation of federal law and
the acceptable use policy. Violation of the Peer to Peer policy
will result in methods of resolution under the policy. Use
of peer to peer software is only permitted on dedicated servers.
Bit Torrent: Future Hosting allows the use of bit torrent
protocols on the public network. Future Hosting highly recommends
strict oversight and management of Bit Torrent software environments
due to the propensity to violate copyright law by sharing commercial
software or copyright protected material. The sharing of copyright
protected software and material is NOT allowed and is in direct
violation of federal law and the acceptable use policy. Violation
of the Bit Torrent policy will result in methods of resolution
under the policy. Use of bit torrent is only permitted on dedicated
servers.
The following list represents per se direct violations of
Acceptable Use Policy and will be subject to immediate redress
under the methods of resolution as described in the acceptable
use policy.
- Copyright Infringement: Direct copyright infringement as
defined and noted under Title 17, Section 512 of the United
States Code are a direct violation of the acceptable use policy.
Please refer to DMCA copyright infringement requirements at
http://www.futurehosting.biz/legal.html.
- Unsolicited Email: The sending or receiving of mass unsolicited
email (SPAM) is a direct violation of the acceptable use policy.
This includes the direct sending and receiving of such messages,
support of such messages via web page, splash page or other
related sites, or the advertisement of such services.
- Email Bombing: The sending, return, bouncing or forwarding
of email to specified user(s) in an attempt to interfere with
or over flow email services is a direct violation of the acceptable
use policy.
- Proxy Email (SPAM): The use of dedicated services to proxy
email unsolicited users is a direct violation of the acceptable
use policy. Proxy email is defined as the use of dedicated
services to act in concert with other services located inside
and outside the network to achieve mass unsolicited email (SPAM)
to unrelated third parties.
- UseNet SPAM: The use of dedicated services to send, receive,
forward, or post UseNet unsolicited email or posts is a direct
violation of the acceptable use policy. This includes UseNet
services located within the Future Hosting network or unrelated
third party networks.
- Illegal Use: Any use of dedicated services in direct attempt
of statutory illegal activities is a direct violation of the
acceptable use policy. This includes, but is not limited to:
death threats, terroristic threats, threats of harm to another
individual, multi-level marketing schemes, "ponzi schemes",
invasion of privacy, credit card fraud, racketeering, defamation,
slander, and other common illegal activities.
- Child Pornography: Future Hosting has a zero stance policy
on child pornography and related sites. The hosting of child
pornography or related sites or contact information is in direct
violation of federal law and the acceptable use policy.
- Threats & Harassment: The Future Hosting network can
be utilized for any type of individual, organizational or business
use. This does not include threats or harassment to individuals,
organizations or businesses unless it falls within the bounds
of protected free speech under the first amendment. Future
Hosting seeks to serve only as the medium of exchange for information
and refrains from decisions on freedom of speech.
- Fraudulent Activities: Future Hosting prohibits utilizing
dedicated services or network services for fraudulent activities.
Notification of fraudulent activities by verified third parties
can result in violation of the acceptable use policy.
- Denial of Service: Future Hosting absolutely prohibits
the use of services or network services for the origination
or control of denial of service attacks or distributed denial
of service attacks. Any relation to DOS or DDOS type activity
is a direct violation of the acceptable use policy.
- Terrorist Websites: Future Hosting prohibits the use of
dedicated services for the hosting of terrorist related websites.
This includes sites advocating human violence and hate crimes
based upon religion, ethnicity, or country of origin.
- Distribution of Malware: Future Hosting prohibits the storage,
distribution, fabrication, or use of malware including virus
software, root kits, password crackers, adware, key stroke
capture programs and other programs normally used in malicious
activity. Programs used in the normal ordinary course of business
are deemed acceptable. Example: Security Company hosting at
Future Hosting analyzes the latest root kit for new security
analysis software.
- Phishing - Future Hosting strictly prohibits any activity
associated with Phishing or systems designed to collect personal
information (name, account numbers, usernames, passwords, etc.)
under false pretense. Splash pages, phishing forms, email distribution,
proxy email or any relation to phishing activities will result
in immediate removal.
- Proxy: Future Hosting prohibits hosting any Proxy related
web sites on the Virtual Private Servers.
Disclosure to Law Enforcement: Occasionally, Future Hosting
is required by law to submit customer information to law enforcement
officials when presented with a valid subpoena from a court
with proper jurisdiction. Information requested is disclosed
as directed pursuant to the subpoena. Future Hosting utilizes
great care in keeping customer information safe and private
and will only release information described in the subpoena.
Future Hosting will notify customer of the information request
as allowed by the subpoena.
Reporting Violation of the Acceptable Use Policy: Future Hosting
accepts reports of alleged violations of the acceptable use
policy via email sent to abuse@futurehosting.biz.
Reports of alleged violations must be verified and include
name, contact information, IP address, and description of the
violation. Future Hosting owes no duty to third parties reporting
alleged violations due to lack of privity in contract law.
Future Hosting will review all verified third party reports
and will take appropriate actions as described within the acceptable
use policies.
Methods of Resolution for Violations under the Acceptable
Use Policy: The ultimate goal of Future Hosting is to balance
the rights and interest of our customers in the highly evolving
internet world. Future Hosting understands the challenges of
hosting companies, resellers, businesses, organizations and
other customers who may have third party violations occur due
to the nature of their business. The goal to our methods of
resolution is to mitigate any service interruptions while resolving
any potential violations under the policy. Our sales, support
and abuse staff are dedicated to working with you in resolving
potential violations and are available via phone or email.
The methods of resolution below form the framework for a resolving
all potential violations. Timing for resolution differs according
to the degree of the violation, the nature of the violation,
involvement of law enforcement, involvement of third party
litigation, or other related factors. Overall, Future Hosting
is dedicated to working with the Customer in resolving all
potential violations prior to any service interruptions.
• Step 1: First alleged violation of AUP: a ticket will
be generated under the master user account with information
regarding the potential violation of the acceptable use policy.
This is often a fact finding email requiring further information
or notifying Customer of the potential violation and the required
actions to resolve the issue.
• Step 2: Acknowledgement of violation of AUP: a ticket
is generated under the master user account with information
specific to the violation. This ticket will also include any
additional facts about the situation and will notify customer
of the action required to resolve the violation.
• Step 3: Violation of AUP disregarded, not properly
addressed, or continuing violation: if a ticket has been disregarded,
not properly addressed, or resolved by the customer for a
specified period of time, Future Hosting engineers will turn
the public network port to the specified dedicated services
off. Access to the dedicated services is achieved through
the secure private service network for Customer resolution.
As soon as the violation is addressed, the public access is
restored and service continues as normal.
• Step 4: Failure to address violation and remove violation:
if customer fails to address the violation AND resolve the
violation, a suspension of services will occur. This is a last
resort for Future Hosting and requires a complete failure in
the resolution process on behalf of the Customer. A permanent
suspension of services includes reclamation of all dedicated
services and data destroyed at the end of the current billing
cycle.
• Disclaimer - Future Hosting retains the right, at
its sole discretion, to refuse service to any individual, group,
or business. Future Hosting also retains the right to discontinue
service with notice.
|