Sony Pictures Reportedly Hacked and Brought to a Standstill With Threats of Blackmail

Yesterday, reports began flying that Sony Pictures’ entire computer system had been locked up by a hacker group making undisclosed blackmail threats. We can only guess the hackers’ demands have something to do with Spider-Man movie rights based on absolutely no information other than that’s what we‘d blackmail them for if it were us.

Really, the demands have something to do with some zip files with links posted on Reddit that I wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot digital pole. Reddit users braver than me have been looking through the filenames, which seem to be related to financial reports, passwords, and maybe digital video assets. Here’s the image reportedly being shown on all of the company’s computer screens:

No, not the GOP you’re thinking of. “Guardians of Peace,” apparently.

Similar, mid-’90s game over screen-looking images also reportedly appeared in now-deleted tweets from accounts associated with Sony Pictures properties.

Sony has been predictably tight-lipped about the situation, telling Variety simply, “We are investigating an I.T. matter.”

However, Deadline says an anonymous source within the company said, “We are down, completely paralyzed.” I hope the Sony employees who aren’t in IT enjoy their long Thanksgiving break. IT people, you have my sympathy.

The actual files named in the zip links are assumed to be what the hackers are threatening to release, though nothing appears to have happened even though the deadline in the image has passed. Maybe Sony gave in to the demands? Maybe the hackers were really tired and slept through their blackmail alarms? Will we ever find out what in the heck is going on here? Whatever the case, one thing is certain: We will definitely find a way to keep making Spider-Man rights jokes about it.

Previously in hacks

• Apple Pay’s retailer-backed competitor has already been hacked
• Some people who downloaded hacked celebrity pics got malware. Haha
• Traffic lights are apparently just as easy to hack as movies would have you believe

Are you following The Mary Sue on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, & Google +?

Have a tip we should know? tips@themarysue.com

Author

Close

Dan Van Winkle

Dan Van Winkle (he) is an editor and manager who has been working in digital media since 2013, first at now-defunct Geekosystem (RIP), and then at The Mary Sue starting in 2014, specializing in gaming, science, and technology. Outside of his professional experience, he has been active in video game modding and development as a hobby for many years. He lives in North Carolina with Lisa Brown (his wife) and Liz Lemon (their dog), both of whom are the best, and you will regret challenging him at Smash Bros.

twitter Link to www.projectmgame.com