The HBO hackers are back, and they're threatening to release 'GoT' episode
The leaks just keep coming.
The hackers responsible for the massive breach of HBO haven't let up, and reached out to Mashable to share their latest exploits. And while the latest data dump doesn't include any Game of Thrones spoilers, it definitely contains some information that the network wouldn't want out in the open.
Specifically, what appears to be the login credentials for almost every single HBO social media account. Passwords for everything from @HBO, @GameOfThrones, and @WestworldHBO to various Instagram and Giphy accounts were in a text document provided to us by the so-called "Mr. Smith group."
For legal reasons, we did not attempt to login into the accounts to verify the accuracy of the passwords, but we have no reason to doubt their authenticity given the information the group has shared with us previously.
Over email, the hackers claimed to "have access to many HBO Platforms already," and issued a threat that is sure to get the attention of executives — that Game of Thrones Season 7, Episode 7 is about to get leaked.
"Be ready for GOT S& E6 &E7 as soon as possible," the group warned.
The hackers also appear to have defaced several HBO Giphy accounts. The group sent us a number of screenshots showing “HB-OLD is Dying....” written across official pages. When we went to check the pages, they looked to be offline.
Mashable reached out to HBO for comment, however the network only referred us to a past statement. "We are not in communication with the hacker and we’re not going to comment every time a new piece of information is released," it read in part. "It has been widely reported that there was a cyber incident at HBO. The hacker may continue to drop bits and pieces of stolen information in an attempt to generate media attention. That’s a game we’re not going to participate in."
The hackers are pressing HBO for roughly $6.5 million worth of Bitcoin as ransom, and so far the network has shown at least some willingness to play ball.
Whether this latest bit of proof that shows just how compromised the company is will factor into the decision to pay up or not is unclear.
