Breach, Threat Management, Data Security, Incident Response, TDR

Report: Hackers tried to extort Sony execs before attack

Hackers claiming responsibility for the Sony Pictures breach reportedly emailed company executives just days before the attack, requesting “monetary compensation” in an extortion attempt.

According to a Mashable article published Monday, hackers leaked the email along with other Sony data published that day. Mashable reporter Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai posted a screenshot of the email to Sony Pictures CEO Michael Lynton and co-chairman Amy Pascal.

“The compensation for it, monetary compensation we want,” the email, sent Nov. 21, said. “Pay the damage, or Sony Pictures will be bombarded as a whole.”

That same day, hackers also took to Pastebin to protest the release of an upcoming Sony Pictures film “The Interview,” Mashable said, which may have motivated attackers in, or supporting, North Korea to strike, some believe.

An FBI official told reporters on Tuesday, however, that, “there is no attribution to North Korea at this point,” regarding the attack.

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