Don’t be the reason we add limits.
We try to keep things simple: reliable infrastructure, minimal drama. If your “use case” is basically “abuse,” we will remove you. Quickly.
- We don’t inspect your VPN tunnel or VPS contents.
- We do enforce abuse rules based on infrastructure-facing signals.
- Unlimited ≠ infinite. Sustained “hammering” gets rate-limited or terminated.
- No refunds for abuse-related termination. Don’t test us.
1. Introduction
This Fair Use Policy (“Policy”) applies to Backyard Bandwidth’s VPN, VPS, S3-compatible storage, colocation, and any other related services (collectively, the “Service”). By using the Service, you agree to comply with this Policy and our Terms.
2. VPN Fair Use
Backyard Bandwidth offers VPN service without arbitrary daily caps or “speed tiers” for typical usage. That said, VPN usage must remain reasonable. If your sustained usage materially degrades network performance, harms other users, triggers upstream abuse workflows, or creates undue infrastructure load, we may take action.
We do not log, track, or inspect user activity inside your VPN tunnel (no browsing history, no payload inspection). See our Logging Policy and Privacy Policy.
What we can see: infrastructure-level signals required to operate the service (e.g., aggregate traffic volume, connection health, abuse complaints, and inbound attacks targeting our systems). We use those signals to keep the lights on—not to snoop.
- Operating open relays / public proxies for third parties.
- Running large-scale automated abuse (spam, credential stuffing, scanning that generates complaints, etc.).
- Anything that causes repeated upstream provider abuse escalations. (We don’t enjoy those emails.)
3. Dedicated VPN Plans
Dedicated VPN plans provide a private static IP. All tiers follow the privacy standards in our Logging Policy. Dedicated does not mean “do whatever you want.” It means “your own IP.”
- Private static IP
- Basic monthly support
- No port forwarding
- Private static IP
- Up to 3 custom port forwards / month
- Advanced monthly support
- Private static IP
- Unlimited port forwarding
- Custom destination port support
- Pro monthly support
Port forwarding may not be used to host public services, open relays, malware distribution, scanning campaigns, or anything that generates abuse complaints. If your static IP becomes a recurring problem, we will restrict it or terminate service. No, this is not negotiable.
4. VPS Privacy & Data Retention
We do not monitor or inspect activity within your VPS. You are responsible for what you run. When a VPS is terminated, data is deleted. We do not keep “archives” of terminated instances.
You must comply with all applicable United States laws and any applicable laws in your jurisdiction. Illegal activity may result in termination without notice.
We don’t “watch your screen.” But if your instance is generating abuse at the network edge (e.g., scanning floods, repeated authentication attacks against external services, spam bursts), upstream providers may complain. If that happens repeatedly, we will act.
5. S3-Compatible Storage Fair Use
We offer S3-compatible storage with free ingress and free egress under fair use terms. The goal is to be useful, not to subsidize someone’s CDN business.
- Users may egress (download) data without charge up to the amount of data they store.
- If a user egresses more data than they store, additional fees or restrictions may apply.
- We may rate-limit or suspend access if usage patterns materially impact stability or trigger upstream issues.
If you store 5 TB and egress 5 TB, cool. If you store 50 GB and try to egress 30 TB, you’re not “saving money” — you’re getting rate-limited.
6. Bruteforce Attempts & Security Violations
We enforce a strict policy against bruteforce attacks targeting any part of our infrastructure, including: login portals, APIs, VPN gateways, and storage systems.
A bruteforce attempt is an automated or repeated attempt to gain unauthorized access by systematically guessing usernames, passwords, SSH keys, or API tokens.
- Rapid or scripted login attempts across multiple accounts or services
- Credential stuffing / password spraying
- Scanning specifically to identify authentication surfaces for attack
We do not inspect activity inside your VPN tunnel or inside your VPS. Enforcement here is based on visible inbound behavior against our systems, plus abuse reputation signals. See our Logging Policy.
- Your account may be terminated immediately without notice.
- No refunds for services terminated due to this violation.
- We may report malicious attempts to upstream providers or appropriate authorities.
If it’s a genuine misconfiguration (broken cron, bad script) and there’s no malicious intent and no impact, we may warn you first. We are not obligated to.
7. Termination & Enforcement
If you violate this Policy, we may (in our sole discretion) restrict, rate-limit, suspend, or terminate your access without prior notice. We may also require plan changes or impose technical mitigations to protect the network.
Accidental or short-term spikes generally aren’t a problem. Repeated or sustained abuse is. If network integrity is at risk, we will prioritize stability over your feelings.
8. No Refunds for Abuse
Services terminated due to a violation of this Policy are not eligible for refunds. That includes partial months, prepayments, and “but I didn’t mean it” situations.
9. Acceptance of Terms
By using the Service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Policy. If you do not agree, do not use the Service.
10. Governing Law & Jurisdiction
This Policy is governed by the laws of the United States. Any disputes arising from or relating to this Policy shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in the state of Virginia.
11. Severability
If any provision of this Policy is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect.
12. Network Bandwidth Fair Use
All services that use our network infrastructure—including VPN, VPS, S3 storage, or any other networked service—are subject to fair use limits on sustained bandwidth consumption.
Large updates, backups, short spikes, bursty transfers—fine. Long-term sustained high throughput that degrades the network—not fine.
- Tiny (1 GB RAM / 1 CPU / 20 GB disk): up to 10 GB/day egress and 200 GB/month total traffic
- Small (4 GB RAM / 4 CPU / 100 GB disk): 75 GB/day egress, 500 GB/week total
- Medium (16 GB RAM / 8 CPU / 200 GB disk): 150 GB/day egress, 1.2 TB/week total
- Large (32 GB RAM / 16 CPU / 400 GB disk): 300 GB/day egress, 2.5 TB/week total
- Huge (64 GB RAM / 32 CPU / 1 TB disk): 600 GB/day egress, 5 TB/week total
- Massive (128 GB RAM / 40 CPU / 2 TB disk): 1 TB/day egress, 10 TB/week total
Note: The Tiny plan is intentionally constrained to prevent accidental overuse on the lowest tier. If you need sustained high throughput, ask for a custom plan.
Accidental or short-term overages typically won’t trigger enforcement. Repeated or continuous misuse may. We may warn you, rate-limit you, require an upgrade, or terminate service if network integrity is impacted.
13. Limited Free Support
We provide limited free support for general inquiries and basic setup help. We are not your outsourced IT department.
- Free assistance is available for initial setup and basic troubleshooting.
- Each user is allowed up to three (3) free support inquiries per month.
- Additional support beyond that may require a paid support plan.
- Requests involving hands-on troubleshooting, custom configuration, or extended work may be billable.
- We decide (reasonably) when a request exceeds fair use, and we’ll tell you your options.
Support pricing details: here.
“It broke” is not a ticket. Send the exact error, the service, and what you did right before it broke. We fix data. Not vibes.
14. Updates to this Policy
We may update this Policy at any time. Continued use of the Service after changes means you accept the updated Policy.
Use the contact form on the homepage. Include details. If you send “hello” with no context, we will respond with: “hello, what do you want?”