Hosting Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)
What a Hosting Acceptable Use Policy Is
A hosting acceptable use policy is a set of rules, usually part of the provider’s terms of service, that describes what customers may and may not do on the host’s servers. It is often shortened to AUP. The policy applies to every account and sets the baseline for responsible use of shared infrastructure.
An AUP exists because hosting is a shared resource. One customer’s activity can affect the server, the reputation of the network’s IP addresses (the numbers that identify servers on the internet) and the other customers on the same machine. The policy gives the host a clear basis for action when something goes wrong.
What AUPs Commonly Forbid
- Illegal content, such as material that infringes copyright or breaks local law.
- Spam and mass mailing, including sending unsolicited bulk email from the account.
- Malware and phishing, including pages that imitate other organizations to collect personal data.
- Resource abuse, such as scripts that consume far more processor time or memory than a plan allows.
- Cryptocurrency mining, which uses large amounts of processor time and is often banned on shared plans.
- Excluded services, such as certain proxy or file-sharing services that the host does not allow.
Why Hosts Enforce These Rules
Hosts enforce AUP rules to protect their network, their other customers and their own reputation. A server that sends spam can have its addresses blocked by email providers, which harms every site on the same server. Resource abuse can slow everyone else’s pages.
Enforcement often starts with a warning or a request to fix the issue. Repeated or serious breaches can lead to suspension, as explained in why hosting accounts get suspended.
Frequently asked questions
Does an acceptable use policy apply to every hosting plan?
Most providers apply an AUP to all plans, including free ones, although the details can differ. Shared and reseller plans often have stricter rules, because more customers share the same infrastructure. Read the policy for the plan you intend to use before you sign up. Reseller accounts are covered in reseller hosting.
Can a host close my account for breaking the AUP without warning?
It can, depending on the severity and the terms. Hosts usually reserve the right to suspend immediately when there is serious risk, such as malware or large-scale spam. For minor issues, many give notice first. The terms define what counts as a breach and how the provider responds.