Sony Break: State hackers or criminals? – TIME ONLINE

Six widely discussed theories about who could be behind the Sony Hack -. And what to make of them

18th December 2014 17:04 clock

The hacker attack on Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is probably the biggest such attack on a company. He could plunge the film company in an existential crisis. Has been known since the attack, speculation about who the perpetrators are and what motivates people to drive. There are many ideas, evidence, only a few, not evidence. Six theses that are being discussed:

. 1 North Korea is behind the hacker attack

Several American media reports, government investigators have found evidence to suggest that the hacker attack on SPE could have come from North Korea. The New York Times refers to an unnamed permanent officials an unnamed authority. The AP news agency quoted an unnamed security experts also. What is certain is that North Korea had the means and capabilities, in principle, to carry out such an attack.

The trail of clues above

is, however thin. Four folders that were found in the chopped data should have been created on a computer that is used as the language setting Korean. However, this is not a proof, where the computer may have stood still for those who has used it. In addition, the setting can be easily manipulated. Next, the attacker should have used malware that has been assigned to North Korean hackers in previous attacks. But for this assignment missing substantial evidence.

. 2 North Korea wanted to extort SPE

conceivable that would be quite. The regime in Pyongyang is regarded as highly corrupt and acts with criminal methods. Is known, for example, that North Korea is deeply involved in the illegal arms deal.

. 3 North Korea wants to take revenge for the film The Interview and prevent its publication

In satire film The Interview want two TV presenters, comedians played by James Franco and Seth Rogen, the North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un interview. From the CIA they got the job to kill the dictator on this occasion, what they also succeed. The dictator is clearly visible in the film.

The UN Ambassador of North Korea protested in July against the production, long before the hack. He called the film an act of war, terrorism against North Korea propagating. This is a strong motive.

However, the North Korean leader target of satires were in the past decades and over again. Furthermore, the reaction of the Ambassador of rhetoric, always responded with North Korea criticized corresponds. In a statement, the alleged hacker that CSO online published, it is also stated that the film was not the motive for the hack was.

. 4 North Korea has threatened attacks, the film should be shown

There is no real proof. In the first email of the alleged hacking of Sony, in which they ask for money, the film is not even mentioned. Kim Zeller takes a detailed analysis on Wired to the conclusion that it is equally possible that the hackers could have come only through the extensive coverage on the idea of ​​linking the film with their designs. Or that freeloaders were attracted that could have made this connection.