CyberattacksSony hackers threaten attacks against movie goers who plan to see “The Interview”

The hackers who attacked Sony networks are now threatening an attack on people who plan to go to see the movie “The Interview.” The hackers write in their message that they “recommend you to keep yourself distant” from movie theaters showing the movie.

The New York Daily News reports that the hackers earlier promised to deliver a “Christmas gift.” It was not clear what they had in mind – some suggested they would release another batch of embarrassing data from Sony’s files — but it now looks as if the “gift” might well be a cyberattack on movie theaters.

“Warning[.] We will clearly show it to you at the very time and places ‘The Interview’ be shown, including the premiere, how bitter fate those who seek fun in terror should be doomed to,” the hackers’ note says. The hackers also make a reference 9/11 in the note.

The full note reads:

Warning
We will clearly show it to you at the very time and places “The Interview” be shown, including the premiere, how bitter fate those who seek fun in terror should be doomed to.
Soon all the world will see what an awful movie Sony Pictures Entertainment has made.
The world will be full of fear.
Remember the 11th of September 2001.
We recommend you to keep yourself distant from the places at that time.
(If your house is nearby, you’d better leave.)
Whatever comes in the coming days is called by the greed of Sony Pictures Entertainment.
All the world will denounce the SONY.

The Daily News notes that the threat was release along with another set of e-mails, this time said to be those of Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton. Cyber experts note that the hackers post Sony information they release anonymously, and are making contact with reporters through reusable e-mail addresses, it may well be the case that a separate group is behind this latest threat.

One way to find out whether the latest warning comes from the original hackers or a different group is to check to authenticity of Lynton’s e-mails: If they are authentic, this will mean that the new batch – and the latest warning – were released by the original hackers.

North Korea is suspected to have played a role in the hacking of Sony, with indications pointing to the reclusive regime. North Korea has denied any involvement, and cyber experts note that the evidence implicating North Korea may ultimately not be convincing enough to know for sure who was behind it.

The cyberattack on Sony began in late November, when the company’s computer systems around the world were shut down. A group calling itself “Guardians of Peace” has taken credit for the attack, and over the past week it has begun to release stolen Sony data, including the e-mails of top executives. Around 47,000 Social Security numbers were also released, and some of those whose Social Security numbers were release are now suing Sony for failing to protect that data.