“This is a well-known bright line and I can’t believe they crossed it. Anyone who is familiar with the assets and capabilities of the United States would never do what they did.”
— Philip Lieberman, security expert with Lieberman Software, on the Sony Pictures hackers’ threats against potential moviegoers. The hackers, who call themselves the Guardians of Peace (GOP), said the attacks would be Sept. 11-like: “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 posted on file-sharing site Pastebin, where they have also been publishing information about Sony Pictures and its employees. “The Interview” is a Sony movie about a plot to kill North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The Department of Homeland Security reportedly said there was “no credible intelligence to indicate an active plot against movie theaters,” although it’s taking a close look at the GOP’s messages. But Tom Kellerman, chief cybersecurity officer at Trend Micro, told USA Today that the group’s shift to physical threats is “game-changing.”
“It represents a clear and present danger to civilians and additional resources and capabilities can, and will, be brought to bear,” Kellerman said.
Photo: Movie posters for the premiere of the film “The Interview” at The Theatre at Ace Hotel in Los Angeles, California on December 11, 2014. The film, starring Seth Rogen and James Franco, is a comedy about a CIA plot to assassinate its leader Kim Jong-Un. The L.A. premiere passed without incident, but the New York City premiere, scheduled for Thursday, has been canceled. Also, Rogen and Franco have canceled appearances to promote the movie. (AFP/Getty Images)
