The Mountain Goat Websites Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) sets out the expectations and guidelines for using any of our Services. You as a customer agree that you and any End users will use our services in agreement with the Mountain Goat Websites Terms of Service (TOS) and this AUP.

1. Definitions

  • Services: All products, tools, and services provided by Mountain Goat Websites.
  • User/Customer: Any individual or entity using our Services, including their End Users.
  • End User: Any individual accessing content or services hosted by the Customer.
  • Malware: Malicious software, including viruses, ransomware, spyware, or any harmful code.
  • Spam: Unsolicited or bulk email messages sent in violation of applicable laws (e.g., CAN-SPAM Act).

2. Prohibited Activities

By using our Services, you agree not to do any of the following:

A. Legal Compliance

  • Violate any local, state, national, or international laws, regulations, or requirements imposed by governmental authorities.

B. Security Violations

  • Attempt unauthorized access to any system, server, or network belonging to Mountain Goat or its partners.
  • Engage in activities that compromise security, including but not limited to:
    • Denial of Service (DoS) attacks.
    • Port scanning or probing.
    • Remote execution of malicious software.
    • Exploiting vulnerabilities in Mountain Goat’s systems or other customers’ systems.

C. Unsolicited Messaging and Marketing

  • Transmit, relay, or facilitate spam or unsolicited bulk emails.
  • Engage in email bombing, chain letters, or similar activities.
  • Fail to include an opt-out mechanism in any marketing emails.

D. Harmful Content and Activities

  • Host, display, store, or distribute content that:
    • Violates intellectual property rights, including copyrighted materials, trademarks, patents, or trade secrets.
    • Promotes hatred, violence, terrorism, or harassment against individuals or groups.
    • Contains malware, viruses, ransomware, spyware, or corrupted files.
    • Facilitates illegal hacking, phishing, or data breaches.
    • Is defamatory, abusive, threatening, or misleading (e.g., fake news, fraud).
    • Depicts or promotes child exploitation, pornography, or other obscene material.
    • Encourages or supports the sale or use of illegal drugs or substances.
    • Includes personal data or identifiable information about others without consent, particularly regarding minors.

E. Prohibited Uses

  • Host or operate:
    • Cryptocurrency-related sites, including mining pools, exchanges, or airdrop services.
    • Proxy servers, P2P networks, torrent sites, or file-sharing services.
    • Audio or video streaming services.
    • High-risk activity-related content (e.g., involving serious injury, death, or environmental harm) without explicit written consent.
  • Engage in activities resulting in harm to minors or facilitating such harm.

3. Customer Responsibilities

A. Security and Maintenance

  • Ensure that all installed software (e.g., CMS platforms, plugins) is regularly updated and secure.
  • Maintain strong, secure passwords and protect login credentials from unauthorized access.
  • Set file and directory permissions to the most restrictive settings feasible.

B. Liability for Violations

  • Be responsible for all activity originating from your account, including actions by End Users.
  • Prevent actions that may result in the blacklisting of Mountain Goat Websites IP addresses or harm to third parties.

4. Enforcement and Remedies

A. Violation Response

  • Mountain Goat reserves the right to investigate and address any suspected violations of this AUP.
  • Actions we may take include, but are not limited to:
    • Issuing warnings.
    • Temporarily suspending or permanently terminating Services.
    • Deleting content deemed in violation without prior notice.

B. Notification and Appeals

  • Customers will be notified via email of any enforcement actions and provided a timeline to address the issue, except in cases of severe violations requiring immediate action.
  • Appeals can be submitted by replying to the notification email or contacting us at reportabuse@mountaingoatwebsites.com.

C. Termination

  • Repeated violations may result in termination of the agreement without refunds.
  • Mountain Goat reserves the right to terminate agreements for suspended accounts.

5. Privacy and Data Protection

  • Customers must comply with applicable data privacy regulations, including but not limited to GDPR and CCPA.
  • Hosting or storing Protected Health Information (PHI) as defined by HIPAA is strictly prohibited.

6. Limitation of Liability

  • Mountain Goat will not be held liable for any damages resulting from violations of this AUP, including loss of data or disruptions in service.
  • Customers are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and for verifying the legality of hosted content.

7. Backup Policy

  • Customers are responsible for maintaining regular backups of their data. Mountain Goat does not guarantee the availability of backups unless explicitly included in the Service agreement.

8. Amendments

  • Mountain Goat Websites reserves the right to update or modify this AUP at any time. Customers will be notified of significant changes 30 days in advance. Continued use of the Services constitutes acceptance of the updated AUP.

9. Reporting Violations

Thank you for choosing Mountain Goat Websites. We are committed to providing a secure and professional hosting environment.