Microsoft has reached a settlement with domain provider No-IP to disable some of its domains, after taking control of part of its network to shut down a botnet.
Microsoft in late June filed a civil suit against the U.S. domain hosting company Vitalwerks, which operates as No-IP.com, for its role in hosting malware that infected more than 7 million [m] computers.
In the course of combating the spread of the malware, Microsoft took control of more than 20 No-IP domains, knocking out service for the provider’s customers, some of whom were not even affected by the malware.
In a statement released Wednesday by Microsoft and No-IP, Microsoft said it “regrets any inconvenience these customers may have experienced.”
Microsoft said Vitalwerks was not knowingly involved with the subdomains used for hosting the malware and the Nevada-based company took immediate action to let Microsoft track down those affected by the malware. Microsoft and Vitalwerks have agreed to permanently disable Vitalwerks’ subdomains used for hosting the malware, Microsoft said.
Terms of the settlement were not disclosed. Vitalwerks did not immediately respond to comment further.
Microsoft, in its original suit, also named two foreign nationals, Mohamed Benabdellah and Naser Al Mutairi, as the creators of the software. The malware family was known as Bladabindi and Jenxcus, and was promoted via social media channels like YouTube, Microsoft said at the time.