Microsoft has settled with Vitalwerks, the owner of No-IP dynamic DNS service, just days after taking control of part of their network in a bid to shut down a botnet known to be actively distributing a malware.
Just last week Microsoft took down a botnet after filing a civil lawsuit in the federal court of Nevada naming two foreign nationals for their alleged involvement in creation of a malware and Vitalwerks Internet Solutions for not taking adequate steps to keep its domains safe from malicious activity.
The malware in question is Bladabindi-Jenxcus – a malware known to have its roots in Kuwait and Algeria – which provides its owners with access to a dashboard with point-and-click options that can execute functions such as viewing victim’s screen in real-time, keystroke logging, password stealing, among other things.
Microsoft’ takedown efforts has reportedly had very low effect on the malware operator’s ability to run nefarious activities, but the damage to No-IP was substantial causing immense grief to latter’s customers.
“Microsoft identified malware that had escaped Vitalwerks’ detection. Upon notification and review of the evidence, Vitalwerks took immediate corrective action allowing Microsoft to identify victims of this malware”, said Microsoft in a statement. “The parties have agreed to permanently disable Vitalwerks subdomains used to control the malware.”
Full details about the settlement haven’t been released, but it is said to be a conditional settlement with Microsoft dropping the case against Vitalwerks and returning 23 seized domains.
