Server and System Status

Our apologies for not posting this promised update in a timely manner.

The reason server NC031 was taken offline by the data centre was because one of the websites on the server had been compromised, and was being used to attack other machines on the Internet. Coincidentally, we had changed our contact email address with the data centre only a few days previously and deleted the previous address. However, their system required us to change our email address in two different places. We were not aware of this, and so the emails sent to us warning us of the problem did not reach us. Because they didn’t hear from us that we were aware of and addressing the problem, the server was disconnected to prevent further malicious activity.

We have pointed out to the data centre how their unnecessarily redundant system caused the communication problem, and in the meantime have ensured that our contact information is fully up-to-date with them.

The specific website that was compromised was removed from the server, and a clean account was reinstated. In the process we felt it necessary in the last couple of days to suspend outbound email from the server, so automated emails sent from the server were delayed. Having addressed the root cause, outbound email service has been reinstated.

If you have any questions or concerns about this incident, please contact support and we will address the issue. Thank-you for your patience, and our apologies again for the disruption.