Sony hackers threaten news outlet

Hackers believed to be responsible for the hack of Sony Pictures also leveled threats against a news organization, according to an intelligence bulletin from the FBI and Homeland Security Department. 

The bulletin, issued on Dec. 24 and obtained by The Intercept, warned that the hackers known as Guardians of Peace “specifically taunted” both the FBI and a news organization for the quality of their investigation and “implied an additional threat.” The FBI declined to name the media outlet.

{mosads}”No specific consequence was mentioned in the posting,” according to the bulletin. 

The bulletin went out to local and federal law enforcement, counterterrorism officials, first responders and security experts in the private sector. 

It also outlined the hack of Sony Pictures and the hackers’ threats against movie theaters that planned to show the movie, “The Interview” on Christmas day. 

Following the threat, most major movie theaters refused to show the movie, and Sony subsequently pulled the film. 

The studio reversed course, releasing the film in a few hundred independent theaters around the country and made it available online. The fictional film follows two journalists who are tasked with assassinating North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. 

The United States has accused North Korea of being responsible for the Sony Pictures attack. Some cybersecurity experts have questioned the evidence, however. 

The bulletin notes that there is no specific credible information to conclude the physical attacks would be carried out, but it warned of “copycat actors.” It cautioned law enforcement to remain vigilant.

“DHS and FBI note that hacking groups have historically made exaggerated threat statements,” the bulletin reads.

This story was updatedat 12:24 p.m. to clarify that it remains unclear whether the FBI was also threatened.