Sony Cyber Attack Rumors: Investigators Hint at North Korean Culprits

Cyberattack against Sony Pictures Entertainment last month that sent alarm bells ringing across the US, may have been mounted by North Korea, investigators suspect.

The attack launched on November 24 exposed classified company and personal information, and unreleased films on the Internet, forcing a near shutdown of the company even as it scrambled to get its computers running. Sleuths examining the evidence left behind by the hackers point to North Korean hand, Reuters reported.

Investigators have found that malware that was used by hackers against Sony were the same set of tools used against South Korea's banking sector last year. On examining the code, investigators also found Korean language which though is not incriminating, may indicate North Korean involvement. Federal security agencies conducting independent investigations into the incident, besides FireEye and Mandiant contracted by Sony, have not made official comments.

Investigators speaking on condition of anonymity with media have however pointed to the likelihood of North Korean hand given Pyongyang's grouse with Sony's next release 'Interview' starring James Franco. The film revolves around a plot to kill North Korea's leader Kim Jung Un and has not gone down well with Pyongyang which registered its grouse with UN and the US. The film is set for release later this month, The Washington Post reported.

However some experts have ruled out North Korea's involvement based on their assessment of the cyber attack. PC World quoted Lucas Zaichkowsky who earlier worked for Mandiant, saying the hack was not reminiscent of state sponsored offense. He hinted at involvement of disgruntled employees.

An email reportedly circulated following last month's cyber attack from a group called Guardians of Peace, claimed responsibility. The group said it set out to correct wrongs Sony allegedly committing by restructuring its staff, but made no mention of Interview. Besides the leak of confidential information on the Internet, hackers have also sent journalist classified information, which experts believe could be an act of retribution and possibly involve Sony's past or present employees.