The hacking attack on Sony Pictures Entertainment which disrupted the company’s computer systems and leaked confidential information belonging to them over the internet looks like a perfect plot for a suspense thriller. After the daredevil hack, Sony’s employees at their Hollywood studio received a threatening email believed to have been sent by those responsible for the attack. The FBI is now investigating into the matter to identify the person or group behind the sinister plot.
The 202 word long email message was oddly worded in broken English and claimed to be from the GOP head. Could GOP be the acronym for Guardians of Peace, the group that is claiming to be responsible for last week’s attack?
“Removing Sony Pictures on earth is a very tiny work for our group which is a worldwide organization. And what we have done so far is only a small part of our further plan,” the email read.
Later, the email warns employees: “Please sign your name to object the false of the company at the email address below if you don’t want to suffer damage. If you don’t, not only you but your family will be in danger.”
“Make your company behave wisely,” the email urges.The employees of the company were also asked to turn off their mobile devices after receiving the message.
The message blames the Sony Corp. studio for bringing the attack upon them. Not only the company’s data and information but also that belonging to 47,000 working and former employees of the company were compromised.
“The authenticity of the email wasn’t verified and the exact source of the cyberattack remains unknown. Cybersecurity experts said they had noted similarities between the Sony attack and hacks against South Korea last year that were attributed to North Korea,” reported the Wall Street Journal. However, the expert opinion regarding North Korean hand is hugely divided.
One theory holds that North Korea was involved; Sony plans to release a comedy later this month, “The Interview,” that has drawn harsh criticism from the country because its plot turns on the attempted assassination of the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. A North Korean diplomat has denied that the country was involved, however.
Another theory implicates a former employee of the company.
Meanwhile, the employees of the company who were already badly shaken after their personal information was released online by the nefarious hackers are now terrorized after getting this threatening message.
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