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Acceptable Use Policy

This Acceptable Use Policy ("AUP") governs the use of all services provided by A+ Hosting Inc. DBA ServerPoint.com ("ServerPoint", "we", "us", "our"). By using our Services, you agree to comply with this AUP. This policy is incorporated by reference into our Terms of Service.

Violation of this AUP may result in suspension or termination of your Services without refund.

The evolving nature of the Internet makes it necessary for ServerPoint to reserve the right to make changes to this AUP at any time. Your continued use of ServerPoint's Services constitutes acceptance of any changes to this AUP. This AUP is not intended to address all possible unacceptable uses; ServerPoint reserves complete discretion to determine what constitutes an unacceptable use.

ServerPoint will give you a warning (by email) if we consider that your policy violation is not of a serious matter. Warnings must be replied to within 24 hours. If not, clean-up fees and/or suspension or termination of account may follow without further notice.

About the summaries: Each section below includes a plain-language summary in an orange box. These summaries are provided for your convenience only and are not legally binding. Please read the full text of each section for complete details.

Quick Reference

Section What It Covers
1. Prohibited Content Illegal, harmful, and abusive content you cannot host
2. Prohibited Activities Spam, hacking, DDoS, resource abuse, storage restrictions
3. Email Standards Rules for sending email through our servers
4. Adult Content Only on VPS/dedicated with prior approval, never on shared
5. High-Risk Activities VPNs, proxies, and bulk email need prior approval
6. Your Responsibilities Security, scripts, passwords, backups, legal compliance
7. Reporting Violations How to report abuse to us
8. Enforcement $60 clean-up fee, $60 re-activation fee, 5-day termination rule
9. Cooperation with Authorities We comply with law enforcement requests
10. Communications Decency Act Section 230 protection; defamation policy

1. Prohibited Content

In Plain English: Don't host anything illegal, harmful, or abusive. This includes pirated content, malware, phishing sites, hate speech, and anything involving the exploitation of minors. We report illegal content to authorities.

You may not use our Services to store, distribute, or transmit:

1.1 Illegal Content

  • Any content that violates applicable local, state, national, or international laws
  • Content that infringes on intellectual property rights (copyright, trademark, patent)
  • Pirated software, music, movies, or other copyrighted material
  • Counterfeit goods or fraudulent schemes

1.2 Harmful Content

  • Malware, viruses, trojans, worms, or other malicious code
  • Phishing pages or fraudulent websites designed to deceive users
  • Content promoting violence, terrorism, or illegal activities
  • Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) — reported immediately to authorities
  • Content that promotes self-harm or suicide

1.3 Specifically Prohibited Materials

The following are specifically prohibited on all ServerPoint servers:

  • IRC Bots, proxy scripts, or traffic relaying programs
  • Warez, ROM emulators, or pirated software distribution
  • Image hosting, file dump, mirror, or banner-ad services (similar to rapidshare, photobucket, or commercial banner ad rotation)
  • Topsites or commercial audio/video streaming services
  • Torrent trackers, torrent portals, or similar P2P software
  • Escrow services, High-Yield Interest Programs (HYIP), or related investment schemes
  • Bank debentures, bank debenture trading programs, or prime bank programs
  • AutoSurf sites or pyramid/multi-level marketing schemes
  • Lottery or gambling sites (without prior approval)
  • MUDs, RPGs, or persistent game servers (on shared hosting)
  • Hacking-focused sites, archives, or programs
  • IP scanners, brute force programs, mail bombers, or spam scripts
  • Forum sites or any websites that distribute or link to warez content
  • Sale of controlled substances without proof of appropriate permits

1.4 Abusive Content

  • Harassment, threats, or content intended to intimidate individuals
  • Hate speech or content promoting discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability
  • Defamatory content or false statements intended to harm reputation
  • Non-consensual intimate imagery

2. Prohibited Activities

In Plain English: Don't attack other systems, send spam, mine cryptocurrency, or use resources in ways that harm our network. Don't block our access to your server - if we have to send someone to the data center because of your changes, you pay for it.

2.1 Network Abuse

  • Spam: Sending unsolicited bulk email, regardless of content. This includes email sent from our servers or that references websites hosted on our servers.
  • DDoS Attacks: Initiating or participating in denial-of-service attacks against any network or system.
  • Network Scanning: Unauthorized scanning or probing of networks or systems to identify vulnerabilities.
  • IP Spoofing: Forging packet headers or any part of a message header.

2.2 Security Violations

  • Attempting unauthorized access to any system, network, or account
  • Interfering with services to any user, host, or network
  • Circumventing user authentication or security measures
  • Running open proxies, open relays, or TOR exit nodes without prior authorization

2.3 Resource Abuse

  • Cryptocurrency mining without prior written authorization
  • Running processes that consume excessive CPU, memory, or bandwidth
  • Activities that negatively impact other customers or our infrastructure
  • Using shared hosting resources for purposes other than hosting websites

2.4 Shared Hosting Storage Restrictions

Your shared hosting space may only be used for the direct purpose of maintaining your website hosted on our servers. Specifically, shared hosting storage may not be used for:

  • Backup or archival purposes for data not directly related to your hosted website
  • Hosting mirrors for other websites on the Internet
  • File storage or distribution services
  • Off-site backup storage for other servers or services

2.5 Blocking Access

  • Disabling, blocking, or reconfiguring out-of-band management interfaces (IPMI, iLO, iDRAC, or similar) on dedicated servers
  • Configuring firewalls or security settings that prevent ServerPoint staff from remotely accessing your server for maintenance or support
  • Making any changes that would require physical intervention (remote hands) at the data center
  • Disabling or removing remote access software required for managed services

Note: If your actions require ServerPoint staff to perform physical work on your server (remote hands), you will be charged support fees at our then-current rates.

3. Email and Communication Standards

In Plain English: Only send email to people who asked for it. Include your real address and an unsubscribe link in marketing emails. No purchased email lists. Follow the CAN-SPAM Act.

When sending email through our Services, you must:

  • Comply with the CAN-SPAM Act and applicable anti-spam laws
  • Only send email to recipients who have opted in to receive it
  • Include a valid physical postal address in all commercial emails
  • Provide a clear and functional unsubscribe mechanism
  • Honor unsubscribe requests within 10 business days
  • Not use purchased, harvested, or third-party email lists

4. Adult Content

In Plain English: Adult content is only allowed on dedicated servers or VPS, and only with our written approval. It's never allowed on shared hosting. All content must be legal and must never involve minors.

Adult content is permitted only on dedicated servers or VPS with prior written approval from ServerPoint. Adult content is strictly prohibited on shared hosting. All adult content must comply with applicable laws and must not involve minors in any way.

5. High-Risk Activities

In Plain English: Some activities need our approval before you start, including VPN/proxy services, bulk email marketing, gaming servers, and high-bandwidth streaming. Contact us first to discuss your needs.

The following activities require prior written approval and may be subject to additional terms:

  • Operating proxy or VPN services
  • High-volume email marketing (even with opt-in lists)
  • Gaming servers or gambling websites
  • File sharing or storage services
  • Streaming media services with high bandwidth requirements

6. Your Responsibilities

In Plain English: You're responsible for security (especially on unmanaged services - that's 100% on you), making your own backups (don't rely solely on ours - backups can fail!), and monitoring what's on your server. Even managed services can't guarantee security. If you resell hosting, you're responsible for your customers too.
  • Security: For unmanaged services, YOU are solely responsible for securing your server, including installing security patches, configuring firewalls, and protecting against threats. Even for managed services, we cannot guarantee security - no system is 100% secure. You are always responsible for your own applications, passwords, and access credentials. See our Terms of Service Section 9A for complete details.
  • Scripts and Permissions: You are solely responsible for ensuring that all programs and scripts installed under your account are secure and that file/directory permissions are properly set. ServerPoint recommends setting permissions as restrictively as possible. You are solely responsible for all actions taken under your account, including any compromise of login credentials.
  • Password Security: Both your username and password are required to be secure. ServerPoint reserves the right to carry out regular audits of login credentials for security purposes. If your credentials are found to be insufficiently secure, you will either be notified and granted time to change them, or ServerPoint may change the credentials and provide them to you. Your account may be suspended until you agree to update your password with a more secure one.
  • Backups: You are solely responsible for maintaining backups of all your data in a location independent of ServerPoint. Even if we offer backup services, backups can fail or may not contain the data you need. ServerPoint is not liable for any data loss under any circumstances. See our Terms of Service Section 9A for complete details.
  • End Users: If you provide hosting services to others, you are responsible for ensuring they comply with this AUP. You will be held responsible for the actions of your clients in matters described in this AUP. It is in your best interest to implement a similar or stricter Acceptable Use Policy for your own customers.
  • Content Monitoring: You are responsible for all content on your account, even if uploaded by third parties. You are also responsible for the quality and performance of all content, and for ensuring compatibility with ServerPoint's server hardware and software.
  • Legal Compliance: ServerPoint cannot and shall not provide legal advice regarding the contents of your website or account. All information, articles, tutorials, and tech support advice are provided in good faith and do not constitute official requirements or statements. You are solely responsible for ensuring your content complies with applicable laws by consulting a competent legal advisor.

7. Reporting Violations

In Plain English: See something wrong? Email [email protected] with the details. We investigate all reports. For copyright issues, see our DMCA policy.

To report a violation of this AUP, please contact us at [email protected] with:

  • Your contact information
  • The IP address or domain involved
  • A description of the violation
  • Any supporting evidence (logs, screenshots, headers)

We take all reports seriously and will investigate promptly. For DMCA takedown notices, please see our DMCA Policy.

8. Enforcement

In Plain English: If you break these rules, we may warn you (respond within 24 hours!), suspend your service, or terminate your account without refund. There's a $60 clean-up fee for violations and a $60 re-activation fee if suspended. Accounts suspended for 5+ days may be terminated.

ServerPoint reserves the right to take the following actions in response to AUP violations:

  • Issue a warning requiring immediate corrective action (must be addressed within 24 hours)
  • Suspend access to the Service pending investigation
  • Remove or disable access to prohibited content
  • Terminate the Service without refund for serious or repeated violations
  • Report illegal activities to law enforcement authorities

The severity of enforcement action will depend on the nature and severity of the violation, your history, and other relevant factors.

8.1 Clean-up Fee

YOU WILL BE CHARGED A "CLEAN-UP" FEE OF $60 WITH NO ADVANCE NOTICE IF YOU HAVE ENGAGED IN ANY ACTIVITY THAT VIOLATES THIS AUP. This fee compensates ServerPoint for the time and resources required to investigate and address violations.

8.2 Re-activation Fee

If your account is suspended for violation of this AUP and you wish to re-activate it, a re-activation fee of $60 per service will be applied.

8.3 Termination After Suspension

ServerPoint has the right to terminate any hosting service or account that has been suspended for any reason for more than 5 calendar days after the suspension date, unless you have taken corrective measures to remove the initial suspension threat or violation. Any backup copies of the hosting account will be permanently deleted upon termination and no refund will be due.

8.4 No Credits or Refunds

ServerPoint does not issue credits or refunds for outages incurred as a result of its decision to suspend or terminate Services for a violation of this AUP. Any account terminated due to policy violations will not receive a refund for the current month of service and will not qualify for any money-back guarantee. Months paid in advance will be refunded only after the $60 clean-up fee and any other applicable administrative fees are deducted.

9. Cooperation with Authorities

In Plain English: We cooperate with law enforcement when investigating crimes or security incidents. If required by law, we will provide information about your account - and we may not be able to tell you about it.

ServerPoint will cooperate fully with law enforcement and regulatory authorities in the investigation of suspected criminal violations, network security incidents, and other illegal activities.

ServerPoint may disclose information, including information that you may consider confidential, in order to comply with a court order, subpoena, summons, discovery request, warrant, regulation, or governmental request. ServerPoint assumes no obligation to inform you that such information has been provided and, in some cases, may be prohibited by law from providing you with notice.

10. Communications Decency Act

In Plain English: Under U.S. law (Section 230), we're considered a "republisher" not a "publisher" of your content. We don't remove allegedly defamatory content unless a court orders it. We're not liable for content you post.

Sites hosted on ServerPoint's services are regulated by U.S. law. Pursuant to Section 230(c) of the Communications Decency Act, we do not remove allegedly defamatory material from domains hosted on our services. The only exception is if the material has been found to be defamatory by a court, as evidenced by a court order.

ServerPoint is not in a position to investigate and validate or invalidate the veracity of individual defamation claims, which is why we rely on the legal system and courts to determine whether or not material is considered defamatory. In any case in which a court order indicates material is defamatory, libelous, or slanderous in nature, we will disable access to the material. Similarly, in any case in which a U.S. Court has placed an injunction against specified content or material, we will comply and remove or disable access to the material in question.

The language of Section 230(c) of the Communications Decency Act fundamentally states that Internet service providers like ServerPoint are republishers and not the publisher of content. Our service merely provides a hosting platform and space on which to host content, and any creation or publication of content on our services is the sole responsibility of the third-party user which creates or publishes the content. Therefore, ServerPoint should not be held liable for any allegedly defamatory, offensive, or harassing content published on sites hosted under ServerPoint's webhosting services.

11. Changes to This Policy

In Plain English: We may update this policy. If we make significant changes, we'll post them on our website. Continued use of our services means you accept the updated policy.

We may update this AUP from time to time. Material changes will be posted on our website. Your continued use of our Services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Last Updated: January 2026