After reports of Sony Pictures being hacked and its unreleased movies leaked, more evidence as to the identity of the hackers has surfaced. This time around, it was reported that the computer used to compile the malware in the attack was set to display Korean characters.
This new information was uncovered by AlienVault by analysing samples of the malware’s code. AlienVault also found that the malware was compiled just days before the attack, suggesting that Sony Pictures might not have been the victim of a random attack.
North Korea, however, denies any involvement. A diplomat from the nation even went as far as issuing this strong statement to Reuters:
My country publicly declared that it would follow international norms banning hacking and piracy.
This denial by North Korea is in spite of multiple claims by cyber investigators that the hacking tools used in the attack were similar to cyber attacks on South Korea by the North. Many also believes that the motive behind the attack is “The Interview,” an upcoming movie by Sony Pictures which centralises on the plot to kill the current leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un.
As far as connecting the attack on Sony Pictures to North Korea, this information from AlienVault is probably the most compelling evidence.
