Acceptable Use Policy

This Acceptable Use Policy ("AUP") has been created to promote the integrity, security, reliability, and privacy of Cablevision's Internet Product Network ("the Service"). The AUP works in conjunction with the Terms of Service ("TOS") of each particular product and specifies actions that are prohibited by users of the Service. Cablevision reserves the right to modify the AUP at any time and any such modifications shall be automatically effective to all users when adopted by Cablevision. The customer recognizes and agrees that the on-line AUP to be maintained by Cablevision will supercede all previous versions of this document.

Use of the Service is subject to the following rules and guidelines as well as product specific Terms of Service included with the contract. Each customer of the Service is responsible for ensuring that the use of all services provided complies with this AUP and associated TOS. Any user who does not agree to be bound by these terms should immediately stop their use of the Service and notify their Customer Service Department to terminate the account.

Illegal Use
The Service may be used only for lawful purposes. Transmission or distribution of any material in violation of any applicable law or regulation is prohibited. This includes, without limitation, material protected by copyright, trademark, trade secret, or other intellectual property right used without proper authorization, and material that is obscene, defamatory, constitutes an illegal threat, or violates export control laws. Furthermore, use of the Service to impersonate a person or entity is not permitted.

System and Network Security
Violations of system or network security are prohibited and may result in criminal and civil liability. Optimum Online has the right to impose limits on excessive bandwidth consumption via any means available to Cablevision. Examples of system or network security violations include, without limitation, the following:

• Unauthorized access to or use of data, systems, or networks, including any attempt to probe, scan, or test the vulnerability of a system or network, relay communication through a resource, or to breach security or authentication measures without express authorization of the owner of the system or network.
• Unauthorized monitoring of data or traffic on any network or system without express authorization of the owner or network.
• Interference with service to any user, host, or network, including but not limited to: mail bombing, flooding, or denial of service attacks.
• Forging the header of any transmitted information packet, email, or Usenet posting.
• Modifying or tampering with any hardware, software, or configuration provided by Cablevision including but not limited to: routers, switches, and cable modem configuration files.
• Disrupting any aspect of the Cablevision Internet Network through any means.
• Excessive use of bandwidth, that in Cablevision's sole opinion, places a burden on the network or goes above normal usage.
• Assuming or assigning a Cablevision IP address that was not allocated to the user by Cablevision or its network - all Optimum Online users must use DHCP to acquire an IP address (with the exception of Optimum Online Static IP subscribers).

Electronic Mail
Spam -- Cablevision defines "SPAM" as any email or electronic communication including, but not limited to, instant messenger programs, IRC, Usenet, , etc. that promotes or advertises a service, product, cause, opinion, money making opportunity, or the like that the recipient did not specifically request from the sender. The communication does not necessarily have to pass through the Service's email infrastructure - it only needs to originate from a service user. Optimum Online users may not send any communication meeting the definition above regardless of whether the recipient requested it or not.

Cablevision maintains a zero-tolerance policy on Spam for all of its Internet products and will take immediate action against users violating this policy.

Cablevision's Internet services may not be used to collect responses from unsolicited communication regardless of the communication's origination. Moreover, unsolicited communication may not direct the recipient to any web site or other resource that uses the Service and the user may not reference the Service in the header or by listing an IP address that belongs to the Service in any unsolicited communication even if that communication is not sent through the Service or its infrastructure.

Users may not send any type of communication to any individual who has indicated that he/she does not wish to receive messages from them. Continuing to send email messages to anyone that has expressly requested not to receive email from you is considered to be harassment.

USENET/Internet Chat
Users may not SPAM newsgroups or chat rooms and must comply with the written charters, FAQs, rules, or terms of service for those forums the user chooses to participate. The user is responsible for determining the policies of a given group/room before posting to it. Additionally, users are not permitted to:

• Cross-post the same or substantially similar message excessively - in Cablevision's sole opinion
• Post binary files to non-binary groups
• Flood or disrupt a group

Abusable Resources
Customers shall take all necessary steps to avoid actions that result in the abuse of a resource on their network. Examples of abusable resources include but are not limited to: open news servers, open SMTP servers, insecure routers, wireless access and insecure proxy servers. Upon notification from Cablevision, users are required to address the problem in a timely fashion. Failure to address an issue after notification will be considered a violation of this AUP. Not all products permit use of these types of services, please refer to your product specific TOS for further clarification.

User Responsibility
The user is solely responsible for the security and misuse of any device that is connected to the Service. Cablevision recommends that users implement appropriate measures to secure their systems and these measures may include installation of firewalls, antivirus protection with regular updates, regularly checking for and applying security patches for software and operating systems, and general security conscience use of the service.

Viruses
Service users must take appropriate action to prevent their systems from becoming infected with and/or distributing computer viruses. Cablevision will take appropriate (as decided by Cablevision) action against users infected with computer viruses or worms to prevent further spread.

Enforcement
Cablevision reserves the right to investigate violations of this Policy, including the gathering of information from the user or users involved and the complaining party, if any, and the examination of material on Cablevision's servers and network. Cablevision prefers to advise customers of AUP violations and any necessary corrective action but, if Cablevision, in its sole discretion, determines that a user has violated the AUP, Cablevision will take any responsive action that is deemed appropriate without prior notification. Such action includes but is not limited to: temporary suspension of service, reduction of service resources, and termination of service. Cablevision is not liable for any such responsive action and these actions are not exclusive. Cablevision may take any other legal or technical action it deems appropriate.

The failure of Cablevision to enforce this policy, for whatever reason, shall not be construed as a waiver of any right to do so at any time.