The results of the hack attack started by the group called #GOP (Guardians of Peace, apparently) has cost Sony much more than just the revenue for their five yet unreleased movies, Cnet reports. The data stolen by the attackers – over 100 terabytes of it, reportedly – contains much more, including sensitive information about both Sony’s employees and freelancers, personal information like home addresses and social security numbers, and even a woman’s breastfeeding diet.
Let’s take a look back on how it all begun. The computers of Sony Pictures were attacked by a hacker – or a hacker group – under the alias #GOP on November 24th. The attack has rendered the company’s computer systems unusable, preventing the company from even replying to business emails for days. The attackers wanted Sony to comply with their demands (not known to this day for the public), or else they will reveal the company’s “secrets” online. Apparently the demands were not met, leaving the problem to escalate to unexpected proportions.
The first results of the attack were beginning to show a few days later, when five yet unreleased DVD screeners were leaked online – “Fury” (which has done well in theaters), “Still Alice,” “Annie,” “Mr. Turner” and “To Write Love On Her Arms.” I’m sure the situation was unpleasant for Sony, but not as unpleasant as what followed. The hackers released huge chunks of information stolen from Sony’s computers during the attack (according to sources there are over 100 terabytes of data), including sensitive data about the company’s employees – credit card numbers, passwords, addresses, medical histories and more. Among the leaked documents we can find assessments of employees laid off, a script from the creator of the famous “Breaking Bad” TV series, and even the special dietary requirements of a female Sony Pictures employee who is currently breastfeeding.
So, how bad is the attack? Well, it’s bad – or even worse. According to the authorities, this is the largest cyber attack ever directed towards an American entity, and also the most disruptive. Sony suspects that North Korea is behind the attack, as a retaliation for the company’s upcoming comedy “The Interview” starring Seth Rogen and James Franco, deemed offensive by the North Korean government.