Rules Regarding Acceptable Internet Use

I. ABQonline's General Rules Regarding Acceptable Internet Use.

The ABQonline, Inc. Rules Regarding Acceptable Internet Use (the "Rules") are designed to enhance the quality of our Web Hosting services and to protect our customers, and the Internet community as a whole, from illegal, irresponsible, or disruptive Internet activities. These Rules apply to all customers of ABQonline, and their employees, agents, contractors, and/or other users, who obtain services from ABQonline directly or through access to or use of the Internet. We hope and expect that common sense and good judgment will guide all of our customers' and users' Internet activities. Even with such Rules in effect, minors should be supervised when using the Internet. Adults and minors should be aware of what is on the Internet and to understand the concept of what is accepted and what should be avoided.

II. Description of Unacceptable Internet Uses.

The following Description of Unacceptable Internet Uses (the "Description") is not intended as a comprehensive list of all impermissible activities. The activities listed in this Description are violations of the Rules; however, an unlisted activity may also be a violation of the Rules if it is an illegal, irresponsible, or disruptive use of the Internet.

A. Abuses of system and network resources Any activities which adversely affect the ability of other people or systems to use ABQonline services or the Internet are prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to:

1. denial of services attacks against another network host or individual user;
2. employing posts or programs which consume excessive CPU time or storage space;
3. permitting use of mail services, mail forwarding capabilities, POP accounts, or autoresponders other than for the customer's own account;
4. resale of access to CGI script installed on our servers;
5. subverting, attempting to subvert, or aiding others to subvert the security of the ABQonline system, facilities, and/or equipment; or
6. providing passwords or other similar security related information to others.

B. Improper Conduct

Impersonation and Forgery. The practice of "spoofing" is prohibited. Spoofing is any attempt to impersonate any person or otherwise deceive or mislead through adding, removing, or modifying network headers or other identifying information. Our Rules also prohibit the deletion of author attributions, legal notices, or proprietary designations in an effort to deceive or mislead. The use of anonymous remailers or nicknames does not constitute impersonation.

Defamation and Private Information. Our Rules prohibit the posting of defamatory, scandalous, or private information about an individual without his or her consent. Attempts, whether successful or unsuccessful, to gain access to any computer system or customer's data are also impermissible.

Copyrights and other Protected Information. The violation of trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights is an unacceptable use of the Internet and is prohibited.

Other Improper Conduct. The intentional infliction of emotional distress by use of ABQonline services or the Internet is a violation of the Rules. Threats of bodily harm or destruction of property are always prohibited, whether such threat constitutes a crime or not. In addition, ABQonline reserves the right to remove any material that it, in its sole discretion, considers to be obscene, lewd, filthy, excessively violent, harassing, or otherwise objectionable.

C. Illegality

Prohibited Subject Matters. Using the Internet or any ABQonline services or products for the purpose of trafficking in obscene material, dealing drugs, or participating in any other activities dealing with subject matters that are prohibited under federal or state law is prohibited.

Prohibited Conduct. Any conduct that constitutes harassment, fraud, stalking, abuse, or a violation of federal export restrictions in connection with use of the Internet or ABQonline services or products is prohibited. Using the ABQonline system to solicit the performance of any illegal activity is also prohibited, even if the activity itself is not performed. In addition, knowingly receiving or downloading a file that cannot be legally distributed, even without the act of distribution, is prohibited.

Copyrights and other Protected Information. The unauthorized distribution or copying of copyrighted software is prohibited by these Rules. Any violation of trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights that constitutes a crime under federal or state law is strictly prohibited.

D. Abuse of the Internet

Spam: Spamming is defined as sending unsolicited advertisements to numerous e-mail addresses or newsgroups and/or generating a significantly higher volume of outgoing e-mail than a normal user. Spamming is strictly prohibited by these Rules. The Rules are not limited to the sending of spam from the web sites hosted by ABQonline; rather, the Rules prohibit any purposeful use of spam tactics to generate web site contact or advertisement. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, the purposeful or knowing use of web sites hosted by other ISPs (whether or not owned by the customer) to send spam that links the recipient to a web site hosted by ABQonline. You will be held liable for a third party's actions unless we determine that you did not know, or did not have reason to know, that the spam contained a link to your web site.

List Server:

ABQonlinežs List Server may not be used to send unsolicited bulk E-mail, whether it be commercial or noncommercial. Unsolicited bulk E-mail is defined as E-mail sent to more than 50 individuals without their permission. Violation of our Acceptable Usage Policy damages the reputation of ABQonline, Inc. and iMail List Server. We reserve the right to pursue legal action to enforce our Acceptable Use Policy. In addition, the violator's List Server account will be voided, without any refunds, resulting in our refusing services, including technical support and entitlement to upgrades.

If you believe someone is violating our Acceptable Usage Policy we want to know about it! Please complete a List Server Abuse Report.

Report List Server Abuse

E-mail: ABQonline prohibits activities by its customers and users that disrupt, disable, or impede e-mail communication, such as using nonexistent e-mail return addresses on commercial solicitations, subscribing someone else to a mailing list without that person's permission, and sending unsolicited e-mail. In addition, the following e-mail practices are prohibited:

1. trolling: posting outrageous messages to generate numerous responses
2. mailbombing: sending multiple messages without significant new content to the same user
3. interfering: intercepting, redirecting, or otherwise interfering or attempting to interfere with e-mail or communications intended for other persons or parties News: When posting to a newsgroup, it is imperative that good judgment is used. Many news groups have their own guidelines describing what is and is not considered appropriate. Before entering a newsgroup, you should read these guidelines and familiarize yourself with that particular newsgroup's acceptable use policy. In general, the following practices are prohibited:
   1. cross-post articles to an excessive number of newsgroups
   2. continuous posting of off-topic articles
   3. spamming, as defined above
   4. flames: hostile attacks or invectives aimed at a group or an individual poster
   5. threatening or harassing news articles
   6. forging or removing header information
   7. canceling messages other than your own, other than posts forged in your name

   Other Abuses. Any attempt without authorization to enter into a secured computer system will violate the Rules. Additionally, knowingly or maliciously sending or uploading files or information that contain a virus, worm, "Trojan horse" or other contaminating or destructive data is prohibited. The use of Internet Relay Chat bots, or otherwise violating any accepted policies on Internet Relay Chat, is prohibited.

   III. Reporting Violations of the Rules to ABQonline.

   Disclaimer of Responsibility. ABQonline is under no duty to look at each customer's or user's activities to determine if a violation of the Rules has occurred, nor do we assume any responsibility through this policy to monitor or police Internet-related activities. ABQonline disclaims any responsibility for any such inappropriate use and any liability to any person or party for any other person's or party's violation of this policy.

   Remedial Actions. If you are aware of a potential inappropriate use, please direct the information to abuse@ABQonline.com. Our staff will carefully investigate potential violations before taking action. Depending upon the severity of the violation and the history of the account involved, ABQonline may take any reasonable disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, one or more of the following actions:

   1. issuance of a verbal or written warning
   2. suspension of the offending account
   3. termination of the offending account
   4. bill for administrative costs and/or reactivation costs incurred in connection with any disciplinary action
   5. removal of the offending content from the site

   In the event that an account is temporarily inactivated as a result of any prohibited activities, the account may be subject to reactivation charges and/or deposit requirements determined by ABQonline.

   Copyright Infringement. In compliance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (the "DMCA"), please send DMCA notifications of claimed copyright infringements to: copyright@abqonline.com

   Reservation of Rights. ABQonline will cooperate with the appropriate legal authorities in investigating claims of illegal activity, including but not limited to illegal transfer or use of copyrighted material, posting, or e-mail containing threats of violence, or other illegal activity. We reserve the right to pursue any other remedies to which we may be entitled with regard to violations of the Rules, or as a result of any action taken by or on behalf of any customer and/or its employees, agents, contractors, and/or other users accessing our services.

   IV. Related Acceptable Internet Use Information.

   Usenet Netiquette:

   • news.announce.newuser
   • new.admin.net-abuse,misc
   • Newsgroup Charters By Hierarchy
   • alt.syntax.tactical FAX - Dealing with Trolls Crossposting and Flames
   • Munging headers to avoid Spam
   • Guidelines on Usenet Newsgroup Names
   • How to find the right place to post (FAQ)
   • Moderated Newsgroups FAQ
   • So You Want to Create an Alt Newsgroup
   • Usenet Hierarchies: Config Files FAQ

   User-level Filtering and Tools:

   • alt.spam FAQ
   • MindSpring's SpaminatorTM
   • Abuse Net's List of Filter-ware
   • The Anti-Spam Home Page
   • KILL file FAQ (UNIX)

   Anti-Spam Resources

   • CAUCE
   • Abuse Net
   • JunkBusters
   • JunkEmail
   • GSPAM's Tools

   Child Pornography and Exploitation

   • CyberTipline-- www.missingkids.com
   • US Customs: Report Child Pornography
   • Cyberpatrol--Internet filtering software

   Government and Consumer Resources

   • USPS on Chain Letters
   • USPS on Mail Fraud
   • National Fraud Information Center
   • Better Business Bureau Central Web Server for US and Canada
   • US Federal Trade Commission
   • FBI
   • US Customs