Sony Pictures is in the hot seat once more as the hacking group Guardians of Peace takes its cyber threats a notch higher.
According to new reports, the hackers sent emails to Sony employees threatening to hurt their families.
"We understand that some of our employees have received an email claiming to be from GOP," Robert Lawson, a spokesperson for Sony, told USA TODAY. "We are aware of the situation and are working with law enforcement."
GOP's first cyber attack on Sony saw the Japanese company losing gigabytes of data, which include unreleased movies. Unfortunately for Sony, these films were dumped onto file-sharing sites.
This isn't the first time Sony has come under embarrassing cyber attacks. A few years ago, the PlayStation Network was hacked, and millions of gamers were unable to play online for weeks. This caused the company to beef up its security, although it appears it wasn't enough to keep GOP out.
Because of the new threat, the FBI is facing increased pressure to locate the hackers before things get out of hand. Hackers threatening families have not been seen before, and though it is not certain if these persons are capable of hurting anyone physically, law enforcement and Sony cannot take this threat lightly.
Sony is now on complete lockdown. Employees are not allowed to use Wi-Fi, and they have to revert to punching cards to get paid.
What caused this terrible incident?
Everything seems to surround the new James Franco and Seth Rogen movie The Interview. The film is all about assassinating the North Korean leader, and since getting wind of the storyline, the North Korean government has called the movie "an act of terror" and requested Sony to put an end to it. Naturally, Sony did not give in, and here we are with hackers threatening the families of employees.
Judging by the leaked threat, members of the GOP are also not English speakers. We suspect things might become even more difficult for the company after the launch of the movie.
Here is the email threat in full, courtesy of Variety:
I am the head of GOP who made you worry.
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. It's your false if you if you think this crisis will be over after some time. All hope will leave you and Sony Pictures will collapse. This situation is only due to Sony Pictures. Sony Pictures is responsible for whatever the result is. Sony Pictues clings to what is good to nobody from the beginning. It's silly to expect in Sony Pictures to take off us. Sony Pictures makes only useless efforts. One beside you can be our member.
Many things beyond imagination will happen at many places of the world. Our agents find themselves act in necessary places. Please sign your name to object the false of the company at the email address below if you don't want to suffer damage. If you don't, not only you but your family will be in danger.
Nobody can prevent us, but the only way is to follow our demand. If you want to prevent us, make your company behave wisely.
