The Million Dollar homepage gained lots of publicity during new year for making Alex Tew, the 21-year old student behind it a millionaire - by selling pixels! Unfortunately it also gained the attention of a botnet gang, who have launched several attacks against the site.

According to The Times, the attackers (calling themselves the "The Dark Group") sent an extortion e-mail to Mr. Tew on January 7th, demanding $5000. When the ransom was not paid, the site was attacked, as documented on Netcraft.

A week later, Tew received another mail from the attackers, asking for $50000. And this morning, after the ransom was not paid, the whole site was apparently defaced with a note saying "don't come back you sly dog!".

This is an interesting case, as the target is quite unusual. Instead of the usual targets (online shops, credit card merchants, gambling sites), this time the attackers are targeting a private person because they know he has the money.

Alex Tew comments on the developments in his own blog.