PQ HOSTING Exits European Markets Amid Cyberattacks and Reputational Concerns

PQ HOSTING, an international hosting provider founded in Moldova, has announced its withdrawal from the European market, citing large-scale cyberattacks, a subsequent reputational campaign, and pressure from partners. The company, established in 2019 by Ivan Neculiti, managed over 400,000 IP addresses and served more than 150,000 active clients globally.

Cyberattack Details

According to founder Ivan Neculiti, PQ HOSTING began experiencing significant disruptions in 2022 with multiple distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. These attacks reached peak traffic volumes of up to 2 terabits per second, exceeding typical levels observed in the hosting industry . The attack traffic was globally distributed, primarily targeting networks serving clients in the European Union and the Republic of Moldova.

Reputational Concerns and Business Network

The cyberattacks were followed by a reputational campaign that further isolated PQ HOSTING within the European market. Recent investigations by CORRECTIV suggest a connection between the Neculiti brothers, founders of PQ HOSTING, and Russian disinformation campaigns and pro-Russian hackers targeting European digital infrastructure. The investigation traces a business network originating in the Seychelles, through a shell company in London, to a data center in the Netherlands.

Company Background

Ivan Neculiti founded PQ HOSTING in 2019. The company rapidly expanded its infrastructure, but faced increasing challenges beginning in 2022 . Neculiti is also the CEO of PQ.Hosting, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Looking Ahead

PQ HOSTING representatives have indicated that the dispute surrounding the company’s operations may be reviewed by European judicial institutions. The withdrawal from the European market marks a significant shift for the company, which previously operated infrastructure in over 40 countries.