Sony Pictures Cyberattack: Employees Receive New Threats On Hacked Computer Screens

Sony Pictures, which has been subject to a series of hacks for nearly a month, continues to receive threats from a group calling itself Guardians of Peace (#GOP). The group sent messages to the computer screens of Sony Pictures employees Thursday, the Wrap reports.

Details about what the message said have not been revealed, but those who received it were “disturbed,” a Sony staff member told the publication. Images of employees’ computer screens from a previous hack have since surfaced, with the #GOP threatening to expose internal data it obtained unless its demands were met.

Among the #GOP’s demands are that Sony cancel the release of its upcoming film “The Interview,” a comedy with Seth Rogen and James Franco, who play a reporting team that score an interview with the leader of North Korea. They're then recruited by the CIA to assassinate him. Theories have circulated that North Korea may be involved in the #GOP attacks.

The first attacks occurred in late November, with the #GOP taking over Sony Pictures' systems so completely that the company was forced to shut down its computer network. The #GOP also took over several Sony-affiliated Twitter accounts.

Since then, the #GOP has issued warnings to Sony, indicating that its demands have not been met. An email sent to Sony staff on Dec. 5 threatened their safety and that of their families.

“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 said. The #GOP has instructed employees to contact an undisclosed email address, admitting to Sony’s offenses.

Among its attacks, the #GOP has leaked several unreleased films including “Annie,” the salaries of several Sony executives, and the medical records of over three-dozen Sony employees and their families.

The #GOP released a host of scandalous emails Thursday, including a racially charged conversation between Sony studio chief Amy Pascal and producer Scott Rudin, in which they muse about President Barack Obama's favorite movies. In another leaked email, Rudin called actress Angelina Jolie a “minimally talented spoiled brat.” Pascal and Rudin have since apologized for their comments.

In yet another correspondence, between Pascal, Sony Pictures CEO Michael Lynton and Screen Gems President Clint Culpepper, Culpepper called actor Kevin Hart a “whore.” Hart has spoken out about the comments made against him.

Joseph Demarest, assistant director of the FBI's cyber division, told Congress Thursday that the cyberattacks currently affecting Sony could be used to breach up to 90 percent of high-level security defenses, including the government, Ars Technica reported.