Netregistry acquires Distribute.IT following devastating hack

Domain registrar and web host Netregistry has acquired web host Distribute.IT, following a hacking attack earlier this month which irrevocably destroyed the online assets of some Distribute.IT customers.

The Distribute.IT hack is reported to have destroyed at least 4800 websites, with no hope of recovery.

Following the acquisition, all of Distribute.IT’s customers will have the option of migrating their business and online assets to Netregistry and its infrastructure.

Larry Bloch, CEO of the Netregistry Group, said: “We will honour all payments for hosting at Distribute.IT, but whilst we are assessing billing and payment history we are giving all Distribute.IT customers a free hosting service as soon as humanly possible so they can upload their site and get their email addresses working.”

Bloch praised the efforts of Distribute.IT following the attack.

“It is important to us that all Distribute.IT customers know the extent of effort to which Distribute IT has gone to rectify the damage. Without that, I’ve no doubt that this situation would be a lot worse,” he said.

“I want to remind customers of that excellence and ask for their patience and support as we work through the requirements to return services to all customers as rapidly as possible.”

The acquisition is supported by the manager of .au domain space, .au Domain Administration Ltd (auDA).

Netregistry has directed Distribute.IT customers to call 1300 711 044 or visit www.netregistry.com.au/distributeit/ for more information.