ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY (AUP) and TERMS OF SERVICE (TOS)

The use of our services constitutes your acceptance and agreement to our AUP and TOS. All payments for normal services are non-refundable. Violation of our AUP-TOS may result in the suspension or immediate termination of our services to you without prior notice.

The goal of our AUP-TOS is to...

• Comply with federal, state, and local laws
• Ensure the security and privacy of our systems and networks
• Ensure reliable service and server performance for our customers

Domain Name Renewals:  You, as an individual or business, are responsible for your domain (dot.com) name. InterTEK will notify you when a renewal is due, however, your authorization and payment must be received before completing the process. InterTEK is not responsible for your failure to reply to notices. You are ultimately responsible should you lose your domain name because of your own inaction.

America Online Customers:  We are not responsible for problems experienced while using AOL. Any website maintenance, server-side changes, that fail to appear in your AOL web browser are solely the responsibility of you and AOL. We have no control over how AOL manages their network. AOL related problems will not be permitted to dictate how we do business or impact our website and server maintenance duties and responsibilities. Due to problems and complaints regarding AOL, we DO NOT recommend the use of their service or their service resellers such as Wal-mart Connect.

What is website "maintenance"?
Website redesign, new pages, new shockwave flash presentation modules, new custom programming, stock graphics, and custom graphics creation is not included as "maintenance". Maintenance pertains to existing pages and content, text, non-graphics formatting, existing graphics edits, and the scan, prep, placement of photos you provide. New or developmental, non-maintenance, work may be subject to a higher hourly rate or fee.

Search Engine Optimization
The ranking or result your website enjoys in any online search via services such as Google, Yahoo, and all others is not guaranteed, promised, or implied in any way by InterTEK. You should doubt the professionalism of any person promising to "make your website #1" in search rankings. The offering of proprietary techniques, advanced programming, search friendly coding, or any other supposed "in-the-know method" to improve your website ranking is misleading and disingenuous.

Further, the hype of search engine directory submission, blogging, unique and compelling content, RSS feeds, and press releases or article submissions is marginally effective and generally impractical. For example, no directory submission is required by Google, where the large majority of all web searches are done. When you have a website created for your domain name, Google automatically finds it and indexes its pages into their database. Further, Google constantly updates itself in about three week intervals. You need to do nothing; the process is automatic.

InterTEK does not provide or employ search engine optimization tricks, cheats, workarounds, or any other practice intended to defeat the operations, goals, and standards of an online search service.

Harm to minors
Your Internet web presence may not contain or 'hyperlink' to material that is unlawful or indecent as determined our company. This includes content in all forms such as video, images, illustrations, and executable programs. A first violation will result in the immediate termination of our relationship with you, and any unlawful activity will be reported.

Threats, harassment
Do not use our service to transmit any threatening or harassing material, including the destruction of private or public property. Threats and harassment will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

Fraudulent activity
Do not use our service to make fraudulent offers to sell or buy products and services including any type of financial scam such as 'pyramid schemes', 'get-rich-quick schemes', and 'chain letters'.

Forgery, impersonation
Adding, removing, or modifying any identifying network header information of any email or message in an effort to deceive, mislead, or impersonate is prohibited. Forging headers, email addresses, or other identifying information of any electronic transmission is prohibited.

Distribution of computer viruses
The intentional distribution of software that attempts to or causes damage, harassment, or annoyance to persons, data, or computer systems is prohibited.

Unsolicited bulk emails or messages (SPAM)
The use of our service to transmit any unsolicited commercial or bulk email is prohibited. The use of a 'net send utility' to send unsolicited bulk communications is prohibited. Violating the rules, regulations, FAQ, or charter of any Usenet newsgroup or email mailing list is prohibited. Any server space used to support spamming in any way will be suspended and investigated. A second offense will result in the immediate termination of your relationship with our company.

Message bombing, email and Usenet newsgroups
Malicious intent to impede the use of electronic message services will result in the immediate termination of the your account.

Unauthorized access
Using our service to access, or to attempt to access, the accounts of others, or to penetrate, or attempt to penetrate the security measures of computer software or hardware, electronic communications, or telecommunications is prohibited. Users who violate computer systems or network security may incur criminal or civil liability.

Network disruptions, 'Denial Of Service' attacks
The use of our service to adversely affect the ability of other persons or computer systems to use any Internet service is prohibited. This includes 'denial of service' attacks against other network hosts or individual users. It is each account holder's responsibility to ensure their server space is securely configured. Through action or inaction, you may not allow your server space to be used by others to perform illegal or inappropriate activities.

Privacy, collection of personal data
The use of our service to collect, or attempt to collect, personal information from third parties, without their knowledge or consent, is prohibited.

IRC networks
An IRC server that is part of or connected to another IRC network or server is prohibited. A second violation will result in the immediate termination of your account.

Violation reporting
If you believe there has been a violation of our AUP-TOS please call or email us and provide as much of the following information as possible:

• The IP address used to commit the violation
• The date and time of the violation, including the time zone or offset from GMT
• Any and all other evidence of the violation

The message header usually provides all of the information we will need.

We reserve the right to revise, amend, or modify our AUP-TOS at any time and in any manner.

• Website redesign, renovation, is not included as maintenance.
• All fees are billed and due in advance of each calendar quarter.

If you have any questions regarding our policies, please call 301-334-2952 or send an email message to inbox@intrtek.com.

Thank you, your responsible patronage is appreciated and valued.