Guidelines

This policy is subject to change, so please check regularly for updates. This policy is in addition to Progressive Networks Terms and Conditions.

1) Web hosting

1.1) Progressive Networks reserves the right to suspend or cancel a customer's access to any or all services provided by Progressive Networks, where Progressive Networks decides that the account has been inappropriately used. Progressive Networks reserves the right to refuse service and/or access to its servers to anyone.

1.2) All files on a domain must be part of the active website and linked to the site. Sites should not contain any backups, downloads, or other non-web based content. We will treat all password protected archive (e.g. zip and rar) files as unacceptable. Multimedia content such as audio and video is acceptable provided it is streamed to the user, links to HTTP download of this content is not acceptable.

1.3) Scripts on the site must be designed to produce web-based content, and not to use the server as an application server. Using the server to generate large volumes of email from a database is an example of activity that is not allowed. Scripts should not attempt to manipulate the timeouts on servers. These are set at the present values to ensure the reliability of the server. Sites that reset these do so because they are resource intensive, and adversely affect server performance and are therefore not allowed.

1.4) Progressive Networks will disable any domain that fails to adhere to the following criteria as soon as we are made aware, in line with current working practices:

1.4.1) The primary purpose of any site must be to provide web-based content to viewers. Files on the site must be linked to the web site.

1.4.2) The primary purpose of any script must be to produce a web page. Scripts that send a single email based upon user entered information, or update a database are acceptable. Scripts that send bulk email or perform processor intensive database processes are not allowed.

1.4.3) Sites must not contain Warez, copyright or other illegal material. The onus is on you the customer to prove that you own the rights to publish material, not for Progressive Networks to prove that you do not.

1.4.4) Sites must not contain pornographic or other lewd material. Adult Material includes all pornography, erotic images, or otherwise lewd or obscene content. The designation of "adult material" is left entirely to the discretion of Progressive Networks.

1.4.5) Sites must not use excessive amounts of server resources. These include bandwidth, processor utilization and / or disk space. Please see the 'High Resource Use Policy' in the General Terms and Conditions.

1.4.6) Sites must not contain scripts that attempt to access privileged server resources, or other sites on the same server.

2) Email

2.1) If Progressive Networks identify a mailbox or domain that is causing problems; we will either remove the offending mailboxes or change their settings to resolve the issue. In extreme cases, we will disable email or suspend all services to the domain as appropriate.

2.2) Common issues that cause problems are:

2.2.1) Where a mailbox receives large volumes of undeliverable email.

2.2.2) Where mailboxes have forwarders set to other mailboxes where mail cannot be delivered.

2.2.3) Where mailboxes have forwarders and/or auto-responders that generate circular mail loops.

2.3) You may not use Progressive Networks email services for any of the following:

2.3.4) To send messages or communications, which are unsolicited, offensive, abusive, indecent or obscene.

2.3.5) To send messages causing annoyance, inconvenience or anxiety to another user of the Internet.

2.3.6) To send messages for the purpose of Fraud and /or with the intention of committing a criminal offence.

2.4) To prevent the sending of bulk unsolicited mail, SMTP traffic to and from a server will be blocked in the following scenarios:

2.4.1) Where we identify a server that has an open mail relay.

2.4.2) Where a significant volume of mail is sent from a domain in a defined timescale.

2.4.3) Where we have received significant volumes of complaints concerning unsolicited mail originating from a Progressive Networks hosted domain.

2.5) To prevent Progressive Networks' IP Addresses being blocked by IP Address blocking, a domain held on Progressive Networks servers may be disabled:

2.5.1) Where we have received significant volumes of complaints concerning unsolicited mail originating from or unsolicited email being sent to promote sites being hosted on a Progressive Networks server.

3) Dedicated servers

3.1) All dedicated server customers are responsible for the activities and security of their server. Servers will be disconnected from the network in the following scenarios:

3.1.1) Any server that attempts network scans or other possible hacking activities.

3.1.2) Progressive Networks believe a server has been compromised.

3.1.3) Where there is a sudden increase in a server's use of network capacity, which impacts other servers on the same network.

4) Broadband

4.1) All Broadband customers are solely responsible for the use of their connection. Services will be suspended or cancelled as appropriate where:

4.1.1) A customer uses their connection to attempt network scans or any other possible hacking activities.

4.1.2) A customer uses their connection to send bulk, unsolicited or offensive email as defined in section 2 of this policy.

4.1.3) A customer uses their connection to commit any offence or illegal activity under UK Law.

4.2) Progressive Networks reserves the right to employ traffic shaping technologies/protocols in times of high network utilisation.

5) General

5.1) Progressive Networks will suspend access to an account which:

5.1.1) Contains invalid or fraudulent details.

5.1.2) Initiates a payment card chargeback.

5.2) If Progressive Networks disable a site or server, we will:

5.2.1) Send a mail to the account administrator, informing them of the suspension - please ensure you use an email address that will be unaffected by any suspensions, to ensure that you are immediately made aware of any changes in your account status.

5.2.2) Provide follow up correspondence during office hours from our Technical Support Department, detailing the reasons for the suspension and what actions, if any, the administrator should take to rectify the situation.

5.2.3) Work with you to suggest a resolution to the issue at hand and arrange for the restoration of services in the shortest timescale possible once an agreement has been reached.

5.2.4) Not re-enable any domain or server that has a history of similar misuse.

5.2.5) Pass the account to the appropriate department to resolve any outstanding issues such as account balance or closure.

5.3) For less serious cases, such as email problems, the Technical Support department will contact you during office hours and inform you of any changes made to your account and the reasons for those changes.

5.4) If an action is taken against a site or server, you should communicate directly with the Technical Support Department within office hours.

5.5) Restoration of any and all services suspended during a Misuse Investigation will be considered on a case-by-case basis.