Acceptable Use Policy

By accessing or using any service provided by Softhost, a trading division of Softkings IT Solutions (Pty) Ltd, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to comply with this Acceptable Use Policy (AUP).

This policy applies to all customers, users, resellers, and any party that accesses or uses Softhost services, directly or indirectly.

This AUP must be read in conjunction with our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, which form part of your agreement with Softhost.

This policy applies to all Softhost services including but not limited to:

Customers must not engage in any activity that disrupts, degrades, or interferes with Softhost's network or the networks of others. Prohibited network activities include:

• ✕Launching or participating in DDoS or DoS attacks against any target.
• ✕Port scanning or probing networks without explicit authorisation.
• ✕IP spoofing or forging packet headers.
• ✕Intercepting or monitoring network traffic without authorisation.
• ✕Generating excessive traffic that negatively impacts other customers (traffic flooding).
• ✕Attempting to circumvent network security measures or firewalls.

Softhost operates a strict anti-spam policy in accordance with the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA) and international best practices. Customers may not:

• ✕Send unsolicited bulk email (spam) to any recipient.
• ✕Use Softhost mail servers as open relays.
• ✕Harvest or collect email addresses without consent.
• ✕Send emails with forged headers or misleading sender information.
• ✕Use purchased or rented email lists for bulk campaigns.

Bulk email campaigns are permitted only when all recipients have provided explicit opt-in consent and an unsubscribe mechanism is provided.

Content hosted on Softhost infrastructure must comply with South African law. The following content is prohibited:

• ✕Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) — any violation will be reported to law enforcement immediately.
• ✕Content that incites violence, hatred, or discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or other protected characteristics.
• ✕Content that defames, harasses, or threatens individuals.
• ✕Fraudulent websites, scam pages, or fake storefronts.
• ✕Content that infringes on the intellectual property rights of others.
• ✕Illegal gambling or unlicensed financial services.

Customers are responsible for the security of their own accounts, applications, and data. Customers must:

• ›Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication where available.
• ›Keep all software, CMS platforms, and plugins up to date.
• ›Promptly report any suspected security breach or compromise to Softhost.
• ›Not share account credentials with unauthorised individuals.
• ›Take reasonable steps to secure their own websites and applications against exploitation.

Softhost reserves the right to suspend accounts that pose a security risk to our infrastructure or other customers.

Customers must use Softhost resources fairly and within the limits of their service plan. Prohibited resource usage includes:

• ›Using shared hosting resources in a manner that degrades performance for other customers.
• ›Running CPU-intensive processes, automated scripts, or bots without prior approval.
• ›Storing excessive backups, log files, or large media archives on shared hosting plans.
• ›Reselling resources from a non-reseller hosting plan.

Customers requiring high-resource workloads are encouraged to upgrade to a VPS or dedicated server plan.

Customers are responsible for all activity conducted through their accounts, including activity by their employees, contractors, end-users, and any third parties accessing services through the customer's account.

Resellers are responsible for ensuring that their own customers comply with this AUP. Softhost may take action against a reseller account if any downstream customer violates this policy.

If you become aware of any activity on Softhost infrastructure that violates this AUP, please report it to our abuse team immediately:

Please include as much detail as possible including IP addresses, timestamps, URLs, and any supporting evidence. All reports are treated confidentially.

Softhost reserves the right to amend this Acceptable Use Policy at any time. Updated versions will be published on our website and will take effect immediately upon publication.

Continued use of Softhost services following any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy. It is your responsibility to review this policy periodically.