Computer hackers have tampered with the website of News International-owned The Sun, redirecting readers to a hoax story which said Rupert Murdoch has been found dead in his garden.

A group of hackers called Lulz Security, which has previously targeted games companies and US government websites, claimed responsibility via Twitter.

The group announced on Twitter that "The Sun's homepage now redirects to the Murdoch death story on the recently-owned New Times website. Can you spell success, gentlemen?"

The New Times site was inaccessible late on Monday, but screenshots captured before it was taken off line show a headline that says "Media Moguls Body Discovered" and a story that said Murdoch had taken a large quantity of palladium, a metal that resembles platinum.

"Officers on the scene report a broken glass, a box of vintage wine, and what seems to be a family album strewn across the floor, containing images from days gone by; some containing handpainted portraits of Murdoch in his early days, donning a top hat and monocle," the fake news article said in an obvious reference to the LulzSec mascot.

Meanwhile, The Sun site later redirected to LulzSec's Twitter feed.

News International said it was "aware" of what was happening but made no further comment.