News

Comparison site hacked as web developer demands $3000 from digital agency Dcodr

Screen Shot 2015-09-16 at 9.02.48 amElectricity and gas comparison site Goswitch.com.au has been hacked by a disgruntled website developer claiming they are owed almost $3000 by the owner of digital agency Dcodr.

Visitors to the site this morning were greeted with the message ‘Pay Up Jamie’ emblazoned across the home page.

The message goes on to say “Jamie at DCODR didn’t pay the developer of this site and has an outstanding balance of $2975.00”.

Rihanna’s music video for the song Bitch Betta Have My Money has also been added to the site, while one of the links on news section of the site has been changed to ‘Pay up Jamie’.

It is believed it is directed at Jamie Silver, managing director and founder of the Melbourne-based agency.

On its own website, Dcordr lists Go Switch as one of its clients along with Need It Now, Arts Centre Melbourne, Monash University, Victoria Racing Club and the Australian Automobile Association.

The Go Switch site was temporarily taken down for “scheduled maintenance” later in the morning and while the ‘Pay Up Jamie’ message was removed, the site reappeared with the Rhianna video still showing.

go switch hack intellectual property

Soon after, a red banner appeared warning that “until the outstanding balance is paid in full the intellectual property that powers this site is being stolen”.

The site was subsequently taken down again for “maintenance” as the developer – who is believed to be based in the US – and agency battled to take control of the site.

Dcodr says of its web development services: “Design and development of sophisticated enterprise level websites and campaign microsites. We utilise a phased a waterfall project management methodology that comprises strategy, wire framing, design, development, testing and launch.

“And we favour open sources content management systems (WordPress, Drupal), which provide flexible, scalable, cost effective solution”.

Calls to Dcodr and Go Switch had not been returned at time of publication.

goswitch hacked

 

Update: 2.15pm

The Go Switch website appears to be back up after being hijacked earlier today.

 

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