HBO Targeted by a Cyberattack, Potential “Game of Thrones” Scripts and Episodes Leaked

The night is dark and full of hackers. HBO has been thrown into chaos, as the major television network was hit with a massive cyberattack Sunday morning. Just how massive? Cybercriminals have apparently leaked 1.5 Terabytes of data. The biggest target: the widely popular show “Game of Thrones”, with full length episodes and future scripts potentially compromised by the attack. Additional series that have also been impacted include “Ballers” and “Room 104.”

Though details on the breach are still unraveling, we know that reporters received an anonymous email on Sunday announcing the attack. The malicious message reads: “Hi to all mankind, the greatest leak of cyber space era is happening. What’s its name? Oh I forget to tell. Its HBO and Game of Thrones……!!!!!! You are lucky to be the first pioneers to witness and download the leak. Enjoy it & spread the word. Whoever spreads well, we will have an interview with him. HBO is falling.” With this message, it seems these attackers aren’t in it for the money, but rather are hoping to damage HBO and its reputation.

Just after, the network sent a message of their own, confirming the breach in an official statement, stating, “HBO recently experienced a cyber incident, which resulted in the compromise of proprietary information. We immediately began investigating the incident and are working with law enforcement and outside cybersecurity firms.”

And though HBO has not released details on the full extent of the breach, this leak joins a slew of recent attacks aimed at major Hollywood companies, including Disney and Netflix.

Therefore, with these leaks on the rise, it’s important users do their part to help out these companies and keep entertainment data secure. To do just that, follow these tips:

-Don’t watch stolen shows. No matter how big of a fan you are, by watching or downloading a show illegally, you’re only encouraging cybercriminals to attack major companies in the future, which will only negatively impact your favorite shows. Therefore, if you’re a true blue fan, just wait for the real deal to hit the screen.

-Only watch on legitimate, verified sites. By watching a show via a third-party site, not only are you encouraging cybercriminals to attack again in the future, you’re also endangering your own devices. These sites are often loaded with malware, and one wrong click can potentially infect your device. Therefore, be sure to view your favorite TV shows only from verified sites. 

-Use a comprehensive security solution. Whether you’re concerned about watching your favorite show on your phone or on the web, make sure all your devices are protected. Use a comprehensive security solution, like McAfee LiveSafe, to keep your personal data out of the hands of cybercriminals.

And, of course, stay on top of the latest consumer and mobile security threats by following me and @McAfee_Home on Twitter, and ‘Like’ us on Facebook.

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Story added 1. August 2017, content source with full text you can find at link above.


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