HBO hackers spill scripts, demand $6M
HACKERS USING the name “Mr. Smith” posted more stolen HBO files Monday — and demanded the network pay several million dollars in ransom to halt the havoc.
The data dump included what appear to be scripts from five “Game of Thrones” episodes, including an upcoming installment, a month’s worth of email from the account of Leslie Cohen, HBO’s vice president for film programming, and documents such as a report of legal claims against the network and job offer letters to top execs.
HBO said it’s continuing to investigate and is working with police and cybersecurity experts.
The HBO leaks so far have been limited, falling well short of the 2014 chaos inflicted on Sony.
But those behind the HBO hack claim to have more data, including scripts, upcoming episodes of shows and movies and information damaging to HBO. The hackers demanded “our 6 month salary in bitcoin,” which they implied is at least $6 million.