Acceptable Use Policy

Introduction

This acceptable use policy (the "Policy") defines acceptable practices relating to the use of Abso’s services (the "Service") by customers of Abso (“Customers”) and by users that have gained access to the Service through Customer accounts (“Users”). By using the Service, you acknowledge that you and your Users are responsible for compliance with the Policy. You are responsible for violations of this Policy by any User that accesses the Services through your account.

The Policy applies to all aspects of the Service. "Abso Network" includes, without limitation, Abso’s leased transmission network, including all equipment, systems, facilities, services and products incorporated or used in such transmission network. As used in this Policy, “you” refers to Customers, and any reference to “Users” is intended to encompass, as applicable, both Customers and their Users.

This Policy is designed to assist in protecting the Abso Network, the Service, our Users and the Internet community as a whole from improper and/or illegal activity over the Internet, to improve Service and to improve Service offerings. In situations where data communications are carried across networks of other Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Users of the Abso Network must also conform to the applicable acceptable use policies of such other ISPs.

Suspension or Termination of Service

If Users engage in conduct or a pattern of conduct, including without limitation repeated violations by a User whereby correction of individual violations does not in Abso’s sole discretion correct a pattern of the same or similar violations, while using the Service that violates the Policy, or is otherwise illegal or improper, Abso reserves the right to suspend and/or terminate the Service or the User's access to the Service. Abso will generally attempt to notify you of any activity in violation of the Policy and request that the User cease such activity; however, in cases where the operation of the Abso Network is threatened or cases involving unsolicited commercial email/SPAM, a pattern of violations, mail relaying, alteration of your source IP address information, denial of service attacks, illegal activities, suspected fraud in connection with the use of Service, harassment or copyright infringement, we reserve the right to suspend or terminate your Service or the User's access to the Service without notification. In addition, we may take any other appropriate action against you or a User for violations of the Policy, including repeated violations wherein correction of individual violations does not in Abso’s sole discretion correct a pattern of the same or similar violations. We do not make any promise, nor do we have any obligation, to monitor or police activity occurring using the Service and will have no liability to any party, including you, for any violation of the Policy.

Cooperation with Investigations

Abso will cooperate with appropriate law enforcement agencies and other parties involved in investigating claims of illegal or inappropriate activity. Abso reserves the right to disclose customer information to the extent authorized by federal or state law.

Modifications to Policy

Abso reserves the right to modify this Policy at any time without notice. We will attempt to notify Customers of any such modifications either via e-mail or by posting a revised version of the Policy on our Web site. Any such modifications shall be effective and applied prospectively from the date of posting.

Filters and Service Information

We reserve the right to install and use, or to have you install and use, any appropriate devices to prevent violations of this Policy, including devices designed to filter or terminate access to the Service. By accepting and using the Service, you consent to allowing us to collect service information and routing information in the normal course of our business, and to use such information for general business purposes. 

Illegal Activity

The Service shall not be used for any unlawful activities or in connection with any criminal or civil violation and the Services shall in all cases be used in compliance with applicable law. Use of the Service for transmission, distribution, retrieval, or storage of any information, data or other material in violation of any applicable law or regulation (including, where applicable, any tariff or treaty) is prohibited. This includes, without limitation, the use or transmission of any data or material protected by copyright, trademark, trade secret, patent or other intellectual property right without proper authorization and the transmission of any material that constitutes an illegal threat, violates export control laws, or is obscene, defamatory or otherwise unlawful.

Unauthorized Access/Interference

A User may not attempt to gain unauthorized access to, or attempt to interfere with or compromise the normal functioning, operation or security of, any portion of the Abso Network. A User may not use the Service to engage in any activities that may interfere with the ability of others to access or use the Service or the Internet. A User may not use the Service to monitor any data, information or communications on any network or system without authorization. A User may not attempt to gain unauthorized access to the user accounts or passwords of other Users.

Unsolicited Commercial Email/Spamming/Mailbombing

A User may not use the Service to transmit unsolicited commercial e-mail messages or deliberately send excessively large attachments to one recipient. Any unsolicited commercial e-mail messages or a series of unsolicited commercial e-mail messages or large attachments sent to one recipient is prohibited. In addition, "spamming" or "mailbombing" is prohibited. Use of the service of another provider to send unsolicited commercial email, spam or mailbombs, to promote a site hosted on or connected to the Abso Network, is similarly prohibited. Likewise, a User may not use the Service to collect responses from mass unsolicited e-mail messages. Abso may in its sole discretion rely upon information obtained from anti-spamming organizations (including for example and without limitation spamhaus.org, spamcop.net, sorbs.net, and abuse.net) as evidence that a User is an active “spam operation” for purposes of taking remedial action under this Policy.

Spoofing/Fraud

Users are prohibited from intentionally or negligently injecting false data into the Internet, for instance in the form of bad routing information (including but not limited to the announcing of networks owned by someone else or reserved by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) or incorrect DNS information.

A User may not attempt to send e-mail messages or transmit any electronic communications using a name or address of someone other than the User for purposes of deception. Any attempt to impersonate someone else by altering source IP address information or by using forged headers or other identifying information is prohibited. Any attempt to fraudulently conceal, forge or otherwise falsify a User's identity in connection with use of the Service is prohibited.

The following activities are also prohibited:

• Intentionally transmitting files containing a computer virus or corrupted data. 
• If we have specified bandwidth limitations for your user account, use of the Service shall not be in excess of those limitations. If a User is accessing the Service via a dial-up connection, we may terminate the user session if the User is connected for more than 7 days in order to protect Abso Network resources and maintain Service availability for others. 
• Attempting to circumvent or alter the processes or procedures to measure time, bandwidth utilization, or other methods to document use of Abso services. 
• Advertising, transmitting, or otherwise making available any software, program, product, or service that is designed to violate this AUP, which includes the facilitation of the means to deliver unsolicited commercial email. 
• Any activity that disrupts, degrades, harms or threatens to harm the Abso Network or the Service. 
• Any use of another party’s electronic mail server to relay email without express permission from such other party is prohibited. 
• Any other inappropriate activity or abuse of the Service (as determined by us in our sole discretion), whether or not specifically listed in this Policy, may result in suspension or termination of the User’s access to or use of the Service.

This listing of prohibited activities is not exhaustive and Abso reserves the right to determine that any conduct that is or could be harmful to the Abso Network, Abso’s Customers or Internet users is in violation of this Policy and to exercise any or all of the remedies contained in this Policy.

Responsibilities of Customers

Users are entirely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of password and account information, as well as the security of their network. You agree immediately to notify Abso of any unauthorized use of your account or any other breach of security known to you. If you become aware of any violation of this Policy by any person, including Users that have accessed the Service through your account, you are required to notify us.

Impending Security Event Notification

All Users of the Abso Network are responsible for notifying Abso immediately if they become aware of an impending event that may negatively affect the Abso Network. This includes extortion threats that involve threat of “denial of service” attacks, unauthorized access, or other security events.

Complaints

In most cases, we will notify our Customer(s) of complaints received by us regarding an alleged violation of this Policy. You agree to promptly investigate all such complaints and take all necessary actions to remedy any violations of this Policy. We may inform the complainant that you are investigating the complaint and may provide the complainant with the necessary information to contact you directly to resolve the complaint. You shall identify a representative for the purposes of receiving such communications.

Privacy

Because the Internet is an inherently open and insecure means of communication, any data or information a User transmits over the Internet may be susceptible to interception and alteration. Subject to our Online Privacy Policy, we make no guarantee regarding, and assume no liability for, the security and integrity of any data or information a User transmits via the Service or over the Internet, including any data or information transmitted via any server designated as "secure."

Additional Terms and Conditions

The use of the Abso Network by a Customer of Abso is subject to the terms and conditions of any agreements entered into by such Customer and Abso. This Policy is incorporated into such agreements by reference.

Complaints and Contact Information

Any complaints regarding prohibited use or other abuse of the Abso Network, including violations of this Policy, should be sent to Abso. Please include all applicable information that will assist Abso in investigating the complaint, including all applicable headers of forwarded messages. Customers should call 800.943.2589 to submit a complaint as quickly as possible. If you are unsure whether any contemplated use or action is permitted, please submit questions or comments to Abso at support@abso.com.