Topic: Sony Hack

A discussion on the nature of ransomware attacks questioned why major television networks and newspapers are rarely targeted compared to infrastructure and private corporations. While some suggest that attacking the media would invite unprecedented government retaliation and "tracking down like dogs," others argue that shutting down mainstream news for a week would provide a necessary break from propaganda.

The discussion continues regarding the "casting couch" culture in Hollywood, specifically detailing a graphic anecdote involving Harvey Weinstein and an employee at a restaurant he co-owned. The hosts compare the industry's protection of its own to the 2014 Sony hack revelations.

A major data breach at health insurer Anthem affected 80 million people, with investigators blaming Chinese state-sponsored hackers. The hosts question why the hackers ignored medical records and only took personal identification data, suggesting the breach may actually be industrial espionage by a corporate competitor. They also critique the media's use of the word "cracked" and the lack of accountability for the security of the Oracle databases involved.

A listener who attended the International Conference on Cybersecurity reports that officials like James Comey and James Clapper only took pre-screened questions regarding the Sony hack. The attendee noted that a room full of security admins remained skeptical of the evidence linking the hack to North Korea. The segment highlights the one-sided nature of government "information sharing" with the private sector.

Representative Dutch Ruppersberger reintroduces the CISPA bill, using the Sony Pictures hack as a primary justification for increased "cyber sharing." The hosts argue that the bill is a move to allow the government access to corporate back-ends under the guise of protection. They remain skeptical of the FBI and NSA's technical expertise in attributing the Sony attack to North Korea.

President Obama issued an executive order imposing new sanctions on North Korea following the FBI's attribution of the Sony Pictures hack to the regime. The sanctions target the Korea Mining Development Trading Corporation (KOMID), which is identified as North Korea's primary arms dealer. The discussion suggests the Sony hack provided a convenient excuse for the U.S. to target North Korean weapons sales in Syria and Iran.

The FBI's attribution of the Sony hack to North Korea is challenged by cybersecurity firm Norse Corp, which suggests an insider was involved. The hosts deconstruct Norse Corp's board of directors—noting connections to the DOD and the music industry—and mock their "IPViking" live attack map as a flashy sales tool designed to scare unsophisticated clients.

The discussion shifts to the Sony Pictures data breach and the subsequent cancellation of the film "The Interview." Alan Dershowitz appears on CNN characterizing the threats against movie theaters as an attack on Christmas and a form of state-sponsored terrorism. The U.S. government is reportedly preparing to formally name North Korea as the culprit behind the cyberattack.

Harvard Professor Benjamin Edelman faced public ridicule after threatening a small Chinese restaurant with legal action over a $4 overcharge. In Hollywood, the Sony Pictures hack has exposed disparaging emails between executives Amy Pascal and Scott Rudin, who described Angelina Jolie as a "spoiled brat." The leaks also revealed racially insensitive jokes regarding President Obama's supposed film preferences, highlighting a culture of sexism and racism in the film industry.

A cyberattack on Sony Pictures resulted in the theft of movies and internal emails, with some speculating North Korean involvement due to the upcoming film "The Interview." The hosts suggest the hack and the "broken English" threats may be a publicity stunt to promote the movie. Leaked emails also revealed internal criticism of Adam Sandler's "formulaic" films at the studio.