Acceptable Use PolicyGeneral rules of behavior |
System and network security
The customer shall refrain from attempting to circumvent user authentication or security for a host, a network or an account (“hacking” and “cracking”). This includes accessing data not intended for the customer, logging into a server or an account for which the customer has not received explicit access privileges from BSWS and probing the security of the BSWS network or other network (e.g. by using SATAN scan or similar tools). Any SATAN scan is considered to be an active hacking/cracking attempt.
The customer will refrain from any attempt to disrupt or cause disruption to the services provided to users, hosts and networks (“denial of service” attacks). This includes network “flooding”, attempts to willfully overload services, and attempts to cause a host to crash.
The customer will refrain from any attempt to use programs, scripts or commands or to send messages that disrupt or cause disruption over the Internet or by any other means to a user’s computer session.
In cases of violations BSWS will immediately take all real and legal defensive and/or countermeasures, in particular an injunction against the culprit(s) and a claim for damages, and if required will report the infraction(s) to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
In addition, BSWS will give its complete support to any investigation of violations to system and network security, even in cases where they are not immediately affected, should the appropriate authorities request the cooperation of BSWS.
Unauthorized use of accounts or computers
The customer will refrain from any attempt to use an Internet account or a computer without the owner’s permission. Such attempts include “social engineering”, “password cracking”, scanning for security holes; denial of service attacks (ping flooding; closing packets with invalid packet sizes, UDP flooding, half-open TCP connection flooding, etc.).
In cases of violations BSWS will immediately take all real and legal defensive and/or countermeasures, in particular an injunction against the culprit(s) and a claim for damages, and if required will report the infraction(s) to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
In addition, BSWS will give its complete support to any investigation of violations to system and network security, even in cases where they are not immediately affected, should the appropriate authorities request the cooperation of BSWS.
Misuse of e-mail
The customer will refrain from any attempt to send e-mails to a third parties, against their express or assumed wishes.
The customer will in particular refrain from any attempt to torment, bother or otherwise disturb another person by sending or otherwise using e-mail. This applies regardless of the form, language, frequency or size of the e-mail.
Violations of the sort mentioned above also include the sending of unsolicited, large e-mail messages (“junk mail” or “spam”) as well as the sending of commercial advertising, informational announcements, political writings, etc. The customer may send such material only to recipients who have expressly requested them.
Violations of the sort mentioned above also include the sending of chain letters as well as “mail bombs”.
The customer will refrain from any attempt to falsify the information in e-mail headers
The customer will also refrain from using BSWS accounts and services to collect answers to messages sent from another Internet service provider if these messages violate this acceptable use policy or the acceptable use policy of the other provider. These rules also apply other materials distributed via the Internet.
In cases of violations BSWS will immediately take all real and legal defensive and/or countermeasures, in particular an injunction against the culprit(s) and a claim for damages, and if required will report the infraction(s) to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
In addition, BSWS will give its complete support to any investigation of e-mail misuse, even in cases where they are not immediately affected, should the appropriate authorities request the cooperation of BSWS.
Important note: On the public Internet electronic mail passes across numerous Internet nodes and mail servers from its source to its destination. For some mail servers privacy is not normally guaranteed. A customer wishing to completely protect his privacy should use an encryption system that makes messages unreadable to anyone who is not in possession of the corresponding key. BSWS places great value on protecting the privacy of its customers. Access to customer e-mail will only be undertaken when this is demanded by the investigating authorities based on applicable law.