Web-hosting firm closes web sites after hack

New passwords to be issued in the post

A hacker breached some of the hosting firms web sites

The UK's largest web-hosting company was forced to shut down hundreds of web sites and re-allocate passwords to its customers after a "network intrusion".

Fasthosts has shut-down hundreds of websites temporarily while it sends companies new passwords in the post.

The vulnerability that led to the hack has now been fixed, according to a statement from Fasthosts.

"A system-wide external security audit has removed the vulnerability that led to the recent network intrusion and enhanced the overall security appropriately, " it said in a statement.

The original breach occurred in October, and the company recommended that users change their passwords.

After noticing some unusual activity on some sites last week, the web-hosting firm closed down all sites where passwords had not been changed.

Companies will be able to re-activate their web sites when they receive their passwords by post.

The company insisted systems would be secure following the reissue of passwords.

"Fasthosts is fully confident that, in completing all remaining password changes as described, this will prevent any future disruption or concern," said a spokesman.