Abuse Policy

1. Introduction

OrangeHost LLC (“OrangeHost,” “we,” “our,” “us”) is committed to maintaining the security, stability, and integrity of the domain name system and the internet. As an ICANN-accredited registrar, we comply with the Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA) and applicable registry policies, and we take all reports of abuse seriously. This Abuse Policy outlines how abuse can be reported, how we handle such reports, and the actions we may take.

2. Definition of Abuse

For the purposes of this policy, “abuse” includes, but is not limited to, the following categories:

• Phishing – Attempting to obtain sensitive information by impersonation;
• Malware Distribution – Hosting or distributing malicious software, including viruses, trojans, ransomware, or spyware;
• Botnets – Operating or controlling compromised systems for malicious purposes;
• Spam / Unsolicited Communications – Sending unsolicited bulk messages or email (UBE/UCE);
• DNS Abuse – Exploiting the Domain Name System for malicious activity;
• Pharming – Redirecting users to fraudulent websites without their knowledge;
• Copyright and Trademark Infringement – Unauthorized use of protected intellectual property;
• Fraud / Scams – Deceptive practices intended to mislead or financially exploit users.

3. DNS Abuse Definition

OrangeHost follows the definition of DNS Abuse consistent with ICANN and industry standards, which includes: malware, phishing, botnets, pharming, and spam where it serves as a delivery mechanism for the foregoing.

4. Reporting Abuse

If you believe a domain registered through OrangeHost is involved in abusive activity, please report it to [email protected].

To help us investigate efficiently, please include: the domain name(s) involved; a detailed description of the issue; supporting evidence (e.g., URLs, email headers, logs, screenshots); and your contact information. Incomplete reports may delay investigation. Upon receipt of an abuse report, we will provide the reporter with confirmation that the report has been received.

5. Law Enforcement and Illegal Activity Reports

OrangeHost maintains a point of contact to receive reports of Illegal Activity from law enforcement, consumer-protection, quasi-governmental, and other similar authorities. Well-founded reports submitted to this contact are reviewed promptly by an individual empowered to take appropriate action, except where prohibited by applicable law.

6. Response Timeframes

OrangeHost aims to handle abuse reports promptly:

• Acknowledgement: within 24 hours of receipt;
• Initial Review: within 24–72 hours.

Complex cases may require additional time depending on the nature of the report.

7. Investigation Process

Upon receiving a report, we will: review the complaint and supporting evidence; determine whether the reported activity violates applicable policies or laws; contact the domain registrant or hosting client where appropriate; and request additional information if required. We may also coordinate with third parties, including law enforcement, registries, ICANN, and network providers, where necessary. Where we have actionable evidence that a domain name we sponsor is being used for DNS Abuse, we will promptly take the mitigation action(s) reasonably necessary to stop or otherwise disrupt the abuse, taking into account the cause and severity of the harm and the possibility of collateral damage.

8. Scope of Responsibility

As a domain registrar, OrangeHost primarily manages domain registrations. In cases where abuse involves website content, hosting infrastructure, or third-party services, we may coordinate with the relevant hosting provider, network operator, or service provider.

9. Actions We May Take

If abuse is confirmed, OrangeHost may take one or more of the following actions, based on the severity and nature of the violation: suspend or terminate hosting services; lock, suspend, or cancel the domain name; disable access to specific content or services; require corrective action from the customer; and/or report the matter to relevant authorities.

10. Legal and Regulatory Requests

OrangeHost may take action in response to valid legal requests, including court orders, law-enforcement requests, and regulatory requirements.

11. False or Malicious Reports

OrangeHost reserves the right to disregard reports that are incomplete or lacking sufficient evidence, submitted in bad faith, or intended to harass or harm legitimate users.

12. Right to Respond

Where appropriate, registrants may be given the opportunity to respond to abuse allegations before action is taken, unless immediate action is required to prevent harm, security risks, or legal violations.

13. Recordkeeping and Compliance

OrangeHost complies with ICANN requirements, including obligations under the Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA) and applicable registry agreements. We publish and follow procedures for the receipt, handling, and tracking of abuse reports, and we maintain records of abuse reports and our responses for the period required by applicable law.

14. Additional Terms

This Abuse Policy should be read in conjunction with our Terms of Service and Domain Registration Agreement.