Sony Pictures Hacking

[Manhattan]

NEW YORK -- The blow that the hacking attack has dealt Sony is spreading beyond the entertainment corporation itself to theatre chains and movie goers alike. And the financial toll is adding up too.

Threats of violence against movie theatres. The New York premiere of "The Interview" cancelled. Leaks of thousands more private emails. Lawsuits by former employees that could cost tens of millions in damages.

The fallout from the Sony Pictures Entertainment hack that began four weeks ago exploded Tuesday after the shadowy group calling themselves Guardians of Peace escalated their attack beyond corporate espionage and threatened moviegoers with violence reminiscent of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/business/sony-barraged-by-more-leaks-lawsuits-theatres-pulling-rogen-film-1.2151349

Brutal. Sony is considering pulling the movie. We look down at other parts of the world stuggling for freedom but we live in a world where a comedic satire might not be released due to threats of violence.

[Kloubek]

In my opinion, the movie premise is in poor taste.

I'm all for free speech and everything, but who's great idea was it to take potentially the most volatile relationship to the USA and build a movie around that?

I guess it isn't that much different than all the 80's movies representing USA vs Russia.....

[FraserB]

They released Team America and had no issues though.

[FixedGear]

Threatening 9/11-type attacks on theaters is, by definition, terrorism. If NK really is behind these threats, does that give US reason to implement a regime change? I'm pretty sure they could take NK within 3 days and give it back to SK. :D

[Sugarphreak]

...

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak
I didn't have much interest in the movie... but now this just makes me want to see it

When I first heard about the hackings, I thought it might be a slick advertising campaign :rofl:

[ga16i]

Originally posted by FixedGear
Threatening 9/11-type attacks on theaters is, by definition, terrorism. If NK really is behind these threats, does that give US reason to implement a regime change? I'm pretty sure they could take NK within 3 days and give it back to SK. :D

But NK has strong ties to China who is friendly with Russia. You'd end up with a WWI-like situation.

[BrknFngrs]

I really hope that they don't fold completely and pull the movie; would send a strong message that these kinds of threats are effective. :thumbsdow

[killramos]

Originally posted by FixedGear
Threatening 9/11-type attacks on theaters is, by definition, terrorism. If NK really is behind these threats, does that give US reason to implement a regime change? I'm pretty sure they could take NK within 3 days and give it back to SK. :D

NK is completely untouchable which people who don't understand the situation always undermine.

Everyone knows what it would take to eliminate North Korea from being a problem:

Millions of Korean lives. Actually Millions.

The entirety of the border is covered in hidden missile and artillery installations that are always manned. Always pointed at major population centers. And exist in such qualities that a significant portion of them couldn't be instantly eliminated in the event of war.

Seoul is within range of these long range weapons systems, and if the North Koreans get a big enough sniff of trouble coming they will level the city and anything else they can fire upon.

There was never a debate the the south couldn't destroy the North. The cost of both South and innocent North Korean lives is the problem. That's why the North gets away with their shit. They cant be touched.

Then there is the whole china-russia ally situation. Its never going to happen. They are only going away if they implode. Which the americans have actually been doing a decent job of instigating for decades.

edit:

light reading on the concept http://www.businessinsider.com/map-of-the-day-how-north-korea-could-destroy-seoul-in-two-hours-2010-5?op=1

[eblend]

They should just leak it to the internet as another hack...let everyone see it for free

[FixedGear]

Originally posted by ga16i


But NK has strong ties to China who is friendly with Russia. You'd end up with a WWI-like situation.

It was a joke, although it would be interesting as China clearly has stronger ties to US than NK.

[drtoohotty1]

Welp its official

Cineplex
17 mins ·

After careful consideration of this unprecedented and complex situation, Cineplex Entertainment will postpone presentation of the Sony Pictures movie, The Interview. Cineplex takes seriously its commitment to the freedom of artistic expression, but we want to reassure our guests and staff that their safety and security is our number one priority. We look forward to a time when this situation is resolved and those responsible are apprehended.

Lesson learned, in today's society if you dont like something post 9/11 style threats until it goes away.... :drama:

[ga16i]

Originally posted by FixedGear


It was a joke, although it would be interesting as China clearly has stronger ties to US than NK.

Yeah, China's reaction would be interesting if it ever came to that point.
They're obligated to jump in if NK gets attacked. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-North_Korean_Mutual_Aid_and_Cooperation_Friendship_Treaty

But they love US money. But US supports Taiwan which China does not like too much. US also currently supports Japan and vice versa. China and Japan just has a deeply entrenched hate on for each other since who knows when, but currently tolerates each other.

[killramos]

Originally posted by ga16i

China and Japan just has a deeply entrenched hate on for each other since who knows when

Might have something to do with this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanking_Massacre

:rolleyes:

[ga16i]

Originally posted by killramos


Might have something to do with this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanking_Massacre

:rolleyes:

Definitely a part of it, but like that article mentions, that's part of the Second Sino-Japanese War. There's bad blood before that, maybe even hundreds of years worth.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Japan


After having united Japan, Hideyoshi launched the conquest of China's Ming Dynasty by way of Korea. However, after two unsuccessful campaigns towards the allied forces of Korea and China and his death, his forces returned to Japan in 1598 (the Bunroku-Keichō War).

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Originally posted by killramos


Might have something to do with this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanking_Massacre

:rolleyes:

Pacific Rim countries have been at each others' throats since long, long before Nanking. China and Japan had a particular habit of invading each other and the mutual dislike is deeply ingrained.

[zipdoa]

Reminds me of death threats against the South Park team:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Best_Friends

For this:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fa/South_park_muhammad.jpg

[killramos]

Originally posted by BerserkerCatSplat


Pacific Rim countries have been at each others' throats since long, long before Nanking. China and Japan had a particular habit of invading each other and the mutual dislike is deeply ingrained.

Fair enough. Shall we call nanking icing on the cake :dunno:

[ga16i]

Right... somewhat back to the original topic... IF North Korea is actually behind all this, things can get pretty interesting real quick. So far, I believe North Korea has denied responsibility.

[Manhattan]

Originally posted by ga16i


But NK has strong ties to China who is friendly with Russia. You'd end up with a WWI-like situation.

This would never happen but even if it did I doubt China would put up much of a fight. NK is like their wild and misbehaving little brother who's been cruisin for a bruisin.



Originally posted by BerserkerCatSplat


Pacific Rim countries have been at each others' throats since long, long before Nanking. China and Japan had a particular habit of invading each other and the mutual dislike is deeply ingrained.

I don't remember China ever invading Japan. Japan has been the aggressor in recent history and basically tried to colonize China.

[rage2]

China doesn't have strong ties with NK anymore. In fact, they were ok with The Interview being played in China. The only concern they had was a single scene where they snuck into NK through China.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Originally posted by Manhattan

I don't remember China ever invading Japan. Japan has been the aggressor in recent history and basically tried to colonize China.

Major ones were in 1274 and 1281 under the Yuan dynasty after Kubli Kahn took control of (most of) China. As I said, this stuff has been ongoing for a long time in that region.

[ga16i]

Originally posted by Manhattan


I don't remember China ever invading Japan. Japan has been the aggressor in recent history and basically tried to colonize China.

To be fair, China was collecting tributes from Japan for a while. No idea how that came about. China probably at least threatened them with severe repercussions if tributes weren't paid. Unless of course Japan was happy to volunteer tributes :D

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wa_%28Japan%29

[rage2]

Sony has now pulled the movie completely. Official Sony statement:

http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/393177-largest-theaters-drop-the-interview-sony-weighing-premium-vod-release


In light of the decision by the majority of our exhibitors not to show the film The Interview, we have decided not to move forward with the planned December 25 theatrical release. We respect and understand our partners’ decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theater-goers.

Sony Pictures has been the victim of an unprecedented criminal assault against our employees, our customers, and our business. Those who attacked us stole our intellectual property, private emails, and sensitive and proprietary material, and sought to destroy our spirit and our morale – all apparently to thwart the release of a movie they did not like. We are deeply saddened at this brazen effort to suppress the distribution of a movie, and in the process do damage to our company, our employees, and the American public. We stand by our filmmakers and their right to free expression and are extremely disappointed by this outcome.

Sony is planning on pushing forward with VOD plans now, to as many home screens as possible:

http://variety.com/2014/film/news/sony-weighing-premium-vod-release-for-the-interview-exclusive-1201381920/

I guess this will be a good case study for the business model of bypassing theaters and going straight to home market for a big Hollywood budget film.

[Cos]

.

[Manhattan]

Originally posted by BerserkerCatSplat
Kubli Kahn took control of (most of) China

Technically, not Chinese.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Originally posted by Manhattan


Technically, not Chinese.

You'll have a difficult time convincing historians that the Yuan was not an imperial Chinese dynasty. :dunno: Many Chinese dynasties were not led by ethnic Han chinese - it was a very turbulent region, which led to a lot of the strife and animosity we were mentioning.

[max_boost]

Damn I was excited for this movie too! I guess just chill out at home and watch it lol

[Manhattan]

Originally posted by BerserkerCatSplat


You'll have a difficult time convincing historians that the Yuan was not an imperial Chinese dynasty. :dunno: Many Chinese dynasties were not led by ethnic Han chinese - it was a very turbulent region, which led to a lot of the strife and animosity we were mentioning.

Mongols were by nature conquerers. Ethnically Chinese dynasties were satisfied with suzerainty over its neighbors. Chinese "conquered" neighbors culturally but never with their armies.

Back on topic. Wow, surprised that Sony caved to these hooligans.

[ga16i]

hm... looking like US believes the North Korean government is "centrally involved":
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/18/world/asia/us-links-north-korea-to-sony-hacking.html?smid=tw-bna

If this ever deteriorates, it'll be really interesting to watch. Like rage eluded to earlier, North Korea's relations with China had softened with the new leadership, but they do still have a standing agreement to intervene if attacked. Aside from other Asian countries, China still has a few other old unforgotten debts to settle:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Century_of_humiliation

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by drtoohotty1

Lesson learned, in today's society if you dont like something post 9/11 style threats until it goes away.... :drama:

I'm sure it has less to do with that, and more to do with a few skeletons in the closet that Sony doesn't want let out.
Also, I wouldn't put it past the hackers to try and brick every single PS4 out there :rofl:

I am looking forward to a South Park episode on this though. I'm sure Super Best Friends will make an appearance again.

[Robin Goodfellow]

Originally posted by ga16i
hm... looking like US believes the North Korean government is "centrally involved":


Believes. Haha.

If they had anything concrete, you can bet they'd share.

[eglove]

North Korea fought America and won - without firing a single shot

[Thales of Miletus]

Originally posted by eglove
North Korea fought America and won - without firing a single shot

I think America defeated America.

Everyone has a gun in the United States. That includes many nuts that don't need more than a popcorn fight as justification for shooting someone.

Sony was probably more worried about a Colorado theatre type shooting.

We saw a couple of nuts carry out terrorists inspire attacks in Canada. However it was more about being nuts than a terrorist. If the two things are separate.

[Darell_n]

I think it's all a promotion for the movie. North Korea probably is sitting there wondering what the hell just happened.

[FixedGear]

^id be really concerned if the executive branch and several agencies are doing all of this to promote a silly comedy movie

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/19/world/asia/north-korea-confrontation-possible-in-response-to-sony-cyberattack.html

[frizzlefry]

I highly doubt north Korea had anything to do with this. North Korea hacks Sony and the first thing that they do is put "Fury" up on thepiratebay? Bollocks. This whole hack has everything to do with the lulz and not government level espionage.

[msommers]

North Korean leaders are bat-shit crazy, it's in their blood. Would it really be that shocking if they had a team of hackers readily available to stop the (albeit obvious) portrayal of their insane beloved leader?

I give an example of the level of their self-righteousness:

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c159/matt_calgary/IMG_20140925_215701.jpg

[FixedGear]

was reading in NYT the US is planning an official announcement re: NK as early as today. In before the conspiracy theorists attribute the hack to Obama administration as a reason to invade. :rofl:

you know, those same idiots that claim(ed) ISIS, 911, etc. were all inside jobs

[Manhattan]

Imagine if China released a big blockbuster comedy this holiday season about the assassination of Obama. Muricans would be up in arms too. Now intensify that scenario 10X and you'd have this.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Everyone should watch the VICE documentary on North Korea, they are probably more crazy than most people think. And much of their population actually thinks the "leaders" are Gods, breaking down in tears at the sight of them, etc. Crazy stuff.

[rage2]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt
And much of their population actually thinks the "leaders" are Gods, breaking down in tears at the sight of them, etc. Crazy stuff.
At least they do it to actual leaders. Over here, we do it to Joe Preacher a few blocks away. :rofl:

http://i.imgur.com/ctUsD3c.gif

[ercchry]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt
Everyone should watch the VICE documentary on North Korea, they are probably more crazy than most people think. And much of their population actually thinks the "leaders" are Gods, breaking down in tears at the sight of them, etc. Crazy stuff.

what i took away from that doc was that NK does not have the skill to hack at all (the scene where the dude was fake typing and staring at the google home page) :rofl:

[killramos]

Originally posted by rage2

At least they do it to actual leaders. Over here, we do it to Joe Preacher a few blocks away. :rofl:

http://i.imgur.com/ctUsD3c.gif

These guys did the same thing for George W. Complete with a life sized picture of him on the altar

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_Camp

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by rage2

At least they do it to actual leaders. Over here, we do it to Joe Preacher a few blocks away. :rofl:


Haha fair point, there are people (bible belt) likely far more crazy than most people in NK. The old guy doing somersaults in the back is the best.



Originally posted by ercchry


what i took away from that doc was that NK does not have the skill to hack at all (the scene where the dude was fake typing and staring at the google home page) :rofl:

Yeah that was ridiculous how staged everything was, even the grocery stores! They may not have the skill themselves, but if they didn't, they could get people to do it I'm sure (assuming they did it of course).

[killramos]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt


Yeah that was ridiculous how staged everything was, even the grocery stores! They may not have the skill themselves, but if they didn't, they could get people to do it I'm sure (assuming they did it of course).

The big thing for NK is for a country they aren't that rich, but they are still rich enough to pay people a kings ransom to do work for them. Everyone has a price.

I read an interesting article about a personal sushi chef to Kim John Il once. Might have been on beyond i dont know.

[bjstare]

^Yeah that was on beyond. Was pretty interesting, if true.

[spikerS]

I was reading on NBC (I don't know how reliable that is) that the white house is saying that NK sponsored the hacking, and did not do it themselves, but it appears to have originated in China.

[FixedGear]

Originally posted by spikerS
I was reading on NBC (I don't know how reliable that is) that the white house is saying that NK sponsored the hacking, and did not do it themselves, but it appears to have originated in China.

Yep, official announcements should be coming soon (today?)

this is from this morning: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/20/world/fbi-accuses-north-korean-government-in-cyberattack-on-sony-pictures.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

[lasimmon]

Originally posted by spikerS
I was reading on NBC (I don't know how reliable that is) that the white house is saying that NK sponsored the hacking, and did not do it themselves, but it appears to have originated in China.

NK internet traffic flows through China.

However this originated in NK.

As per: http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/19/politics/fbi-north-korea-responsible-sony/index.html?hpt=hp_t1


North Korean internet traffic is routed through China, which is one way they are able to hide their activity, but the FBI was still able to trace it back to the origin, sources tell CNN.

[rage2]

Official now.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/19/politics/fbi-north-korea-responsible-sony/

[Phl0xed]

Originally posted by rage2
Official now.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/19/politics/fbi-north-korea-responsible-sony/

The next film to be cancelled by NK hacking threats:

http://media.riemurasia.net/albumit/mmedia/lp/8kv/hggt/3175/1543631129.jpg

[max_boost]

Is it just me or I find this quite amazing? So is Sony gonna fire their IT department? lol

[Xtrema]

Originally posted by max_boost
Is it just me or I find this quite amazing? So is Sony gonna fire their IT department? lol

May be outsourced if not already. But the leak has already shown the techs has already told management about security issues which they ignored.

[ipeefreely]

http://i.imgur.com/gf4R7JB.jpg

[FixedGear]

well it's official, Obama gave his big speech saying the US will respond to NK, and criticizing Sony for giving in to the threats. G+He noted this sets a precedence for anyone to use threats to stop e.g. news stories they don't like (linking this to free speech - good point).

Sony now claiming they still intend to make the film available.

[frizzlefry]

Still calling bullshit on this one. Good article about it:

link (http://www.wired.com/2014/12/evidence-of-north-korea-hack-is-thin/)


But in their initial public statement, whoever hacked Sony made no mention of North Korea or the film. And in an email sent to Sony by the hackers, found in documents they leaked, there is also no mention of North Korea or the film. The email was sent to Sony executives on Nov. 21, a few days before the hack went public. Addressed to Sony Pictures CEO Michael Lynton, Chairwoman Amy Pascal and other executives, it appears to be an attempt at extortion, not an expression of political outrage or a threat of war.

One of the first things done was to leak movies to torrent sites. Fury and the new Annie movie being the major ones. IF North Korea did the hack, which I have no doubt they could, they are so isolated that even their best homegrown hackers would still be "sheltered" and be denied access to torrent sites nor would they have the worldly social wherewithal to post movies to it as their first action. The Guardians of Peace have a twitter account with one post. "We are not Korean".

Technically, North Korea could have easily done this. But the social aspect of this hack, and the general feel of the actions by the GOP resulting from it, are traits highly unlikely to be fostered in a North Korean. No matter how good a hacker they are. Any North Korean, especially a home grown hacker, would be stunted in terms of the social wherewithal to act as a western raised hacker would. North Korea would want to control their access to western ideas more than anyone. Controlling their weapon so to speak.

Outsourcing the hack would be the only option IMO. But North Korea is so isolationist that involving an outside 3rd party, a hacker group non the less, and granting them access to trade information with North Korea would go against every social control the North Koreans have. It would be opening the door to a wolf that they could not control. So I doubt thats the case.

They ARE a convenient scapegoat to bolster the NSA's actions however.

[Mibz]

Originally posted by frizzlefry
The Guardians of Peace have a twitter account with one post. "We are not Korean". A verified account, right?

[01RedDX]

.

[frizzlefry]

Originally posted by Mibz
A verified account, right?

About as "verified" as the FBI's evidence.

[Mibz]

Originally posted by frizzlefry
About as "verified" as the FBI's evidence. Which is exactly my point. You're arguing against bad evidence with more bad evidence.

[89coupe]

gPAPNHbzCE4

[frizzlefry]

Originally posted by Mibz
Which is exactly my point. You're arguing against bad evidence with more bad evidence.

I'm really arguing lack of evidence vs bad evidence. The entire thing is such a gross assumption by the US government. My point is there is zero, and I mean zero, evidence that North Korea is involved.

link (http://gawker.com/a-lot-of-smart-people-think-north-korea-didnt-hack-sony-1672899940)

There is a lot of info there and no real talking point phrases so rather than post the whole article I would encourage reading it.

Also. North Korea is now dark. Their internet is down due to DoS attacks.

link (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-12-22/north-korea-undergoing-internet-outage-network-researcher-says.html)


The small number of computers connecting North Korea to the Internet makes disabling them straightforward, said Jose Nazario, chief scientist at Invincea Inc., a Fairfax, Virginia-based security-software company.

“It’s actually pretty easy,” he said. “There are only a handful of hosts. It’s relatively easy to attack just those hosts or the pipes that are present there. There’s not that much bandwidth there. It’s very, very accessible to anyone who wanted to attack them.”

Would be hard to steal 100TB of data over a very limited pipe. So outsourcing, again, is the only option. But North Korea would not do that. Trusting a public shaming of america, something they would salivate over, to a 3rd party they cannot control and is outside of their scope of isolationism?

I just think, at least at this point, that North Korea being responsible is so unlikely that it's laughable.

There are a group of western hackers here who have elicited a response from two governments, got a major film cancelled/delayed and are having the best lulz any hacker group has had in a long while.

[broken_legs]

This country:

http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/769/cache/north-korea-lights-space-01_76991_600x450.jpg

Pulled off a sophisticated cyber-hack.




:nut:

[Darell_n]

Originally posted by broken_legs
This country:

http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/769/cache/north-korea-lights-space-01_76991_600x450.jpg

Pulled off a sophisticated cyber-hack.




:nut:

Nobody said the North Koreas were working from home. Anyways, what is this 'actor' they keep referring to with zero details? Is this literally some Hollywood actor working as a spy?

[broken_legs]

Originally posted by Darell_n


Nobody said the North Koreas were working from home. Anyways, what is this 'actor' they keep referring to with zero details? Is this literally some Hollywood actor working as a spy?

The official story: NK trained the hackers on windows 3.1 from VHS cassette tapes in a room with electricity power from an ox manure fired power plant then sent these world class hackers to a hotel in Bangkok to perform the hack.

Squirrel!

[Arash Boodagh]

http://www.bestgore.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/ruled-by-fear.jpg

[Redlyne_mr2]

This is the best publicity stunt ever!

[JRSC00LUDE]

For Sony, or Arash?

[lasimmon]

Movie is being played now on Christmas Day. On phone and can't post link but those 2 theatres one in Texas and one in Atlanta are going to show it on the 25th.

[Manhattan]

Christmas is saved haha

[blairtruck]

james franco instagrammed the movie was saved by obama.

greatest publicity stunt ever?

http://www.tmz.com/2014/12/23/sony-releasing-the-interview-christmas-day-theaters/

[jsn]

Originally posted by Redlyne_mr2
This is the best publicity stunt ever!

My thoughts exactly. If this movie ever does come out, so many people are going to see it just to see what all the fuss was about.

[rage2]

So far it's limited release, US only, Christmas day. Probably around 200 theaters nationwide. Nothing in Canada yet.

VOD release should be same day, but no details yet.

[spikerS]

so, I don't know if google is censoring it, or I am not searching with the right terms or whatever, but they keep talking about leaked emails and shit.

Where the hell did it get leaked to? I can't find it anywhere... :dunno:

[rage2]

Most of it was on pastebin, and Sony DMCA'd it off. Reddit had links to them, but they banned and deleted the subreddit hosting the links.

It's way too much to read anyways, the mainstream media has already gone through all of it and TL;DR'd it out for you. The only thing that was interesting for me before it was taken down was the budget and profitability breakdowns of several major films, numbers you typically won't see thanks to Hollywood accounting.