This Acceptable Use Policy applies to all services provided by iShout Hosting & IT, including web hosting, email hosting, domain services, DNS, website support and related IT services.
By using our services, you agree to use them in a lawful, fair and responsible way. This policy is designed to protect our customers, systems, network, reputation and third-party service providers.
1. Prohibited Activities
You must not use iShout Hosting & IT services for illegal, abusive, malicious or harmful activities.
Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to:
- Sending spam, phishing emails or unsolicited bulk messages
- Hosting or distributing malware, viruses, spyware or harmful code
- Hacking, scanning, attacking or attempting to gain unauthorised access to systems
- Running botnets, command-and-control services or malicious scripts
- Hosting fraudulent, misleading or deceptive websites
- Infringing copyright, trademarks or other intellectual property rights
- Hosting illegal, defamatory, abusive, threatening or harmful content
- Interfering with the operation, security or performance of our services
- Using our services in a way that breaches Australian law or any applicable international law
2. Resource Usage
You must use server resources fairly and responsibly. Shared hosting and related services are designed for normal website and email use, not for excessive or abusive resource consumption.
You must not:
- Use excessive CPU, memory, disk space, database resources or bandwidth
- Run resource-heavy scripts, bots, crawlers, miners or automated tasks
- Operate services that negatively affect server stability or other customers
- Use hosting accounts for file storage, backups or media archives unless agreed in writing
- Send excessive email that affects mail server reputation or deliverability
We may monitor resource usage to maintain service performance, security and fair use for all customers. If your account causes performance or stability issues, we may contact you, restrict resource usage, suspend services or require you to upgrade to a more suitable plan.
3. Content Restrictions
You are responsible for all content, files, databases, emails, applications and scripts uploaded, stored, published or sent through your account.
You must not host, upload, publish or distribute content that:
- Is illegal under Australian law or any applicable law
- Is defamatory, abusive, threatening, harassing or hateful
- Promotes fraud, scams, phishing or deceptive conduct
- Infringes copyright, trademarks, privacy rights or intellectual property rights
- Contains malware, viruses or harmful code
- Encourages violence, exploitation or unlawful activity
- Creates a legal, security or reputational risk for iShout Hosting & IT
We reserve the right to remove, disable or restrict access to content that we reasonably believe breaches this policy, our Terms of Service, a legal obligation, a third-party provider requirement or an abuse complaint.
4. Email and Spam
You must not use our services to send spam, phishing messages, unsolicited bulk email or any email that breaches the Spam Act 2003 or other applicable laws.
You are responsible for ensuring that email sent through your account:
- Is sent only to recipients who have consented to receive it
- Includes accurate sender information
- Includes a working unsubscribe option where required
- Does not mislead, impersonate or deceive recipients
- Does not damage the reputation of our mail servers or network
Accounts involved in spam, phishing or email abuse may be suspended or terminated without notice.
5. Security Responsibilities
You are responsible for maintaining the security of your website, account, software, passwords and data.
You should:
- Use strong and unique passwords
- Keep website software, plugins, themes and scripts up to date
- Remove unused applications, users, plugins and files
- Use secure file permissions and access controls
- Maintain your own independent backups
- Notify us promptly if you suspect your account has been compromised
You must not attempt to gain unauthorised access to our systems, servers, networks, customer accounts or third-party services.
6. Backups and Data Protection
You are responsible for keeping your own backups of your website, files, databases, emails and other data.
Where backup services are provided by iShout Hosting & IT, they are provided as a convenience and are not guaranteed unless expressly agreed in writing.
We recommend keeping separate backup copies outside your hosting account.
7. Reporting Violations
If you become aware of misuse of our services, a security issue, suspected abuse, spam, phishing, malware or any breach of this policy, please report it to us as soon as possible.
Reports should include as much detail as possible, including domain names, URLs, email headers, screenshots, logs or any other relevant information.
8. Consequences of Violation
If we reasonably believe this Acceptable Use Policy has been breached, we may take action to protect our services, customers, network and reputation.
Actions may include:
- Issuing a warning
- Requesting that you remove or fix the issue
- Temporarily restricting or disabling part of the service
- Suspending your hosting, email or account access
- Removing or disabling access to offending content
- Terminating your services
- Reporting unlawful activity to relevant authorities where required
We will assess each situation based on the seriousness of the issue, the risk involved and any legal or operational obligations. Serious abuse, illegal activity, malware, phishing or security threats may result in immediate suspension without prior notice.
9. Third-Party Provider Requirements
Some services may rely on third-party providers, including data centres, domain registrars, software platforms, payment processors, email providers and network providers.
You agree to comply with any reasonable rules, policies or requirements imposed by those providers where they relate to the services we supply to you.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Acceptable Use Policy from time to time to reflect changes to our services, business operations, legal requirements, security practices or provider requirements.
Updated versions will be published on our website. Continued use of our services after changes are published means you accept the updated policy.
11. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Acceptable Use Policy, or if you need to report abuse or a security issue, please contact us:
iShout Hosting & IT
Website: https://www.ishout-hosting.com.au
Email: [email protected]
Location: Queensland, Australia
