Distribute. IT has admitted that its servers are "unrecoverable" after hackers attacked its systems a week ago. The production data and backups for four of its shared servers were erased and at least 4800 Australian sites are now lost with no chance of recovery.

The affected servers were named Drought, Hurricane, Blizzard and Cyclone. These servers held the data, websites and email accounts of the company's customers.

"In assessing the situation, our greatest fears have been confirmed that not only was the production data erased during the attack, but also key backups, snapshots and other information that would allow us to reconstruct these Servers from the remaining data," the company reported in its first statement since the crisis happened.

As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, the domain registrar company was hit with a "deliberate, premeditated and targeted attack" on its servers last Saturday. The company is still struggling to assess the damage done and to help affected customers.

Customers have been complaining of the hack and the inadequate information being provided by Distribute. IT in the wake of the incident. The company has finally released a statement published today which explains that it has been working around the clock to recover the lost data.

"The team will continue to try to recover the information from the affected servers; however at this time we have been advised by the recovery teams that the chances for recovery beyond the data and files so far retrieved are slim.

"The overall magnitude of the tragedy and the loss of our information and yours is simply incalculable; and we are distressed by the actions of the parties responsible for this reprehensible act."

The company is now in the process of helping its customers transfer to other hosting providers. The attack could prove to be catastrophic to websites hosted by Distribute. IT. Customers without a back-up will have to rebuild from scratch. Even getting in contact with Distribute. IT could prove to be an exercise in patience as the company's phone line is ringing out, its website is down and it is using a temporary Gmail address- distributeit888@gmail.com.

Clients have expressed their anger and disappointment over the loss of data. Whirlpool discussion forums have already spawned over 60 pages of posts over the incident.

"I think I'm in shock ... I have lost everything .... I couldnt possibly replicate all those years of work again ... my whole lifes work is gone down the drain," wrote one irate customer.