Microsoft drops case that severed DNS hosting for millions of No-IP nodes

"Upon notification and review of the evidence, Vitalwerks took immediate corrective action allowing Microsoft to identify victims of this malware."

The dispute underscored the fine line between finely tuned botnet takedowns and reckless seizures that disrupt legitimate users in the name of security on the Internet.

Preserving the confidentiality of the planned takedown may have played a role in No-IP claims that Microsoft officials never contacted it ahead of time about the abuse of its service.