The cyberattack against HBO and its biggest series “Game of Thrones” is the latest reminder that Hollywood remains a vulnerable target for online pillagers.

For cybercriminals seeking attention, there are few greater prizes than the hottest show on television or the biggest movie in theaters.

The hackers who took credit for attacking HBO say they have stolen and leaked a trove of HBO data onto the Web, including a script for an upcoming episode of “Game of Thrones,” as well as video of new episodes of shows such as “Ballers,” “Insecure” and “Room 104.” And, they say, there’s more to come.

HBO confirmed in a statement Monday that it experienced a breach that compromised some of its programming and immediately began to investigate the incident, working with law enforcement and independent cybersecurity experts.


“The problem before us is unfortunately all too familiar in the world we now find ourselves a part of,” HBO Chief Executive Richard Plepler said in a memo to employees. “I can assure you that senior leadership and our extraordinary technology team, along with outside experts, are working round the clock to protect our collective interests. The efforts across multiple departments have been nothing short of herculean.”

HBO declined to comment further on the investigation.

1 / 133 Maisie Williams as Arya Stark, Aidan Gillen as Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish, and Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran Stark in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 2 / 133 Aidan Gillen’s run as Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish in the “Game of Thrones’” ends in the season seven finale episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 3 / 133 Wilf Scolding as Rhaegar Targaryen and Aisling Franciosi as Lyanna Stark in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 4 / 133 Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran Stark, Aisling Franciosi as Lyanna Stark, and Wilf Scolding as Rhaegar Targaryen in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 5 / 133 “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (HBO) 6 / 133 The undead army in “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (HBO) 7 / 133 The wall comes down in “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (HBO) 8 / 133 Kristofer Hivju as Tormund in “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (HBO) 9 / 133 Members of the band Mastodon returned to “Game of Thrones.” Second from the left is Bill Kelliher and third from the left is Brent Hinds in the episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (HBO) 10 / 133 The wight dragon in “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (HBO) 11 / 133 Kristofer Hivju as Tormund and Richard Dormer as Beric Dondarrion in “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (HBO) 12 / 133 Maisie Williams as Arya Stark and Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (HBO) 13 / 133 Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen and Kit Harington as Jon Snow in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (HBO) 14 / 133 Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (HBO) 15 / 133 Rory McCann as Sandor “The Hound” Clegane and as The Mountain in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO) 16 / 133 Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister and as Euron Greyjoy in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO) 17 / 133 Kit Harington as Jon Snow and Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO) 18 / 133 Brendan Cowell as Harrag and Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO) 19 / 133 Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister and Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 20 / 133 Maisie Williams as Arya Stark in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 21 / 133 John Bradley as Samwell Tarly in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 22 / 133 Aidan Gillen as Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 23 / 133 Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy and Kit Harington as Jon Snow in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (HBO) 24 / 133 Rory McCann as Sandor “The Hound” Clegane and as Brienne of Tarth in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (HBO) 25 / 133 Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister and as Brienne of Tarth in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (HBO) 26 / 133 Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO) 27 / 133 Jerome Flynn as Bronn and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO) 28 / 133 Kit Harington as Jon Snow and Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO) 29 / 133 Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO) 30 / 133 Kit Harington as Jon Snow in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO) 31 / 133 Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister and Jerome Flynn as Bronn in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO) 32 / 133 lfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO) 33 / 133 Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister in the “Game of Throne’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 34 / 133 Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran Stark in the “Game of Throne’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 35 / 133 Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Dragon and the Wolf.” (HBO) 36 / 133 Wight bear from the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Beyond the Wall.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 37 / 133 Richard Dormer as Beric Dondarrion, Kristofer Hivju as Tormund and Rory McCann as Sandor “The Hound” Clegane in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Beyond the Wall.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 38 / 133 Joe Dempsie as Gendry and Kristofer Hivju as Tormund from the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Beyond the Wall.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 39 / 133 Kit Harington as Jon Snow and Iain Glen as Jorah Mormont from the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Beyond the Wall.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 40 / 133 Paul Kaye as Thoros of Myr in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Beyond the Wall.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 41 / 133 Rory McCann as Sandor “The Hound” Clegane and Iain Glen as Jorah Mormont from the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Beyond the Wall.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 42 / 133 Joe Dempsie as Gendry, Rory McCann as Sandor “The Hound” Clegane, Kit Harington as Jon Snow and Iain Glen as Jorah Mormont from the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Beyond the Wall.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 43 / 133 The wight army from the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Beyond the Wall.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 44 / 133 from the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Beyond the Wall.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 45 / 133 The dragons attack the wight army from the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Beyond the Wall.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 46 / 133 Vladimir Furdik as the Night King in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Beyond the Wall.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 47 / 133 Vladimir Furdik as the Night King in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Beyond the Wall.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 48 / 133 Viserion is transformed in death to a wight dragon in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Beyond the Wall.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 49 / 133 Kit Harington as Jon Snow in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Beyond the Wall.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 50 / 133 Kit Harington as Jon Snow from the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Beyond the Wall.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 51 / 133 Kit Harington as Jon Snow and Joseph Mawle as Benjen Stark in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Beyond the Wall.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 52 / 133 Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Beyond the Wall.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 53 / 133 from the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Beyond the Wall.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 54 / 133 Maisie Williams as Arya Stark and Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark from the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Beyond the Wall.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 55 / 133 Joe Dempsie as Gendry in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Eastwatch.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 56 / 133 Liam Cunningham as Davos Seaworth, Kristofer Hivju as Tormund, Kit Harington as Jon Snow, and Joe Dempsie as Gendry in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Eastwatch.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 57 / 133 Tom Hopper as Dickon Tarly and James Faulkner as Randyll Tarly in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Eastwatch.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO) 58 / 133 Drogon and Kit Harington as Jon Snow in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Eastwatch.” (HBO) 59 / 133 Drogon from the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Eastwatch.” (HBO) 60 / 133 Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) and Jon Snow (Kit Harington) in “Eastwatch,” episode 5 of season 7 of “Game of Thrones.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 61 / 133 Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) and Emilia Clarke in “Eastwatch,” episode 5 of season 7 of “Game of Thrones.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO) 62 / 133 Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) and Varys (Conleth Hill) in “Eastwatch,” episode 5 of season 7 of “Game of Thrones.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 63 / 133 Sam (John Bradley) and Gilly ( Hannah Murray) in “Eastwatch,” episode 5 of season 7 of “Game of Thrones.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 64 / 133 Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) in “Eastwatch,” episode 5 of season 7 of “Game of Thrones.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 65 / 133 Noah Syndergaard as Soldier from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO) 66 / 133 Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister and Jerome Flynn as Bronn from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO) 67 / 133 Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 68 / 133 Tom Hopper as Dickon Tarly from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” ( Macall B. Polay / HBO) 69 / 133 The dragon attack from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 70 / 133 The Dothraki army from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 71 / 133 Jerome Flynn as Bronn from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 72 / 133 Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 73 / 133 Jerome Flynn as Bronn from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO) 74 / 133 Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO) 75 / 133 Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO) 76 / 133 Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister in the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO) 77 / 133 Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen and Drogon from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” (HBO) 78 / 133 Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark and Maisie Williams as Arya Stark from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 79 / 133 Maisie Williams as Arya Stark and Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 80 / 133 Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran Stark and Maisie Williams as Arya Stark from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 81 / 133 Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran Stark and

Maisie Williams as Arya Stark from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 82 / 133 Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark, Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran Stark and Maisie Williams as Arya Stark from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 83 / 133 Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth and Maisie Williams as Arya Stark from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 84 / 133 Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 85 / 133 Daniel Portman as Podrick Payne and Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 86 / 133 Aidan Gillen as Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 87 / 133 Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO) 88 / 133 Conleth Hill as Varys, Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister, Nathalie Emmanuel as Missandei, Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen, Liam Cunningham as Davos Seaworth, Kit Harington as Jon Snow from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO) 89 / 133 Kit Harington as Jon Snow and Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” ( Macall B. Polay / HBO) 90 / 133 Nathalie Emmanuel as Missandei and

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO) 91 / 133 Mark Gatiss as Tycho Nestoris and Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Spoils of War.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 92 / 133 Liam Cunningham as Davos Seaworth and Kit Harington as Jon Snow in the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Queen’s Justice.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 93 / 133 Diana Rigg as Olenna Tyrell in the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Queen’s Justice.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 94 / 133 Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister and Diana Rigg as Olenna Tyrell in the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Queen’s Justice.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 95 / 133 Diana Rigg as Olenna Tyrell in the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Queen’s Justice.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 96 / 133 Rosabell Laurenti Sellers as Tyene Sand, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson as Mountain, Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister, and Indira Varma as Ellaria Sand in the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Queen’s Justice.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 97 / 133 Rosabell Laurenti Sellers as Tyene Sand and Indira Varma as Ellaria Sand in the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Queen’s Justice.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 98 / 133 Liam Cunningham as Davos Seaworth and Kit Harington as Jon Snow in the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Queen’s Justice.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO ) 99 / 133 Nathalie Emmanuel as Missandei, Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister, Liam Cunningham as Davos Seaworth, and Kit Harington as Jon Snow in the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Queen’s Justice.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO ) 100 / 133 Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “The Queen’s Justice.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 101 / 133 Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen and Kit Harington as Jon Snow in the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Queen’s Justice.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 102 / 133 Conleth Hill as Varys and Carice van Houten as Melisandre in the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Queen’s Justice.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 103 / 133 Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen and Conleth Hill as Varys in the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Queen’s Justice.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 104 / 133 Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen and Kit Harington as Jon Snow in “Game of Thrones” episode “The Queen’s Justice.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO ) 105 / 133 Kit Harington as Jon Snow in the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Queen’s Justice.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 106 / 133 Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark and Aidan Gillen as Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish in the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Queen’s Justice.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 107 / 133 Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister in the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Queen’s Justice.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO ) 108 / 133 Pilou Asbæk as Euron Greyjoy, Indira Varma as Ellaria Sand, Gemma Whelan as Yara Greyjoy, and Rosabell Laurenti Sellers as Tyene Sand in the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Queen’s Justice.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO ) 109 / 133 Pilou Asbæk as Euron Greyjoy and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister in the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Queen’s Justice.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 110 / 133 Indira Varma as Ellaria Sand and Rosabell Laurenti Sellers as Tyene Sand in the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Queen’s Justice.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 111 / 133 Jacob Anderson as Grey Worm in the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Queen’s Justice.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 112 / 133 Aidan Gillen as “Littlefinger” and Kit Harington as Jon Snow from the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Stormborn.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 113 / 133 Greyjoy ship from the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Stormborn.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 114 / 133 Ben Hawkey as Hot Pie and Maisie Williams as Arya Stark from the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Stormborn.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 115 / 133 Sophie Turner is Sansa Stark in “Game of Thrones.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 116 / 133 John Bradley as Samwell Tarly and Jim Broadbent as Archmaester Ebrose in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Stormborn.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 117 / 133 Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister in “Game of Thrones.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 118 / 133 Bella Ramsey as Lyanna Mormont in “Game of Thrones.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 119 / 133 Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark from the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Stormborn.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 120 / 133 Maisie Williams as Arya Stark in the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Stormborn.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 121 / 133 Ed Sheeran as Ed and Maisie Williams as Arya Stark from the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Dragonstone.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 122 / 133 David Bradley as Walder Frey from the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Dragonstone.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 123 / 133 Maisie Williams as Arya Stark from the “Game of Thrones’” episode “Dragonstone.” (Helen Sloan / HBO ) 124 / 133 Rory McCann as Sandor “The Hound” Clegane in “Game of Thrones.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 125 / 133 Liam Cunningham as Davos Seaworth in “Game of Thrones.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 126 / 133 John Bradley as Samwell Tarly and Hannah Murray as Gilly in “Game of Thrones.” (Helen Sloan/HBO) 127 / 133 Ellie Kendrick as Meera Reed and Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran Stark in “Game of Thrones.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 128 / 133 Kristofer Hivju, left, as Tormund Giantsbane and Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth in “Game of Thrones.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 129 / 133 Aidan Gillen as Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish and Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark in “Game of Thrones.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 130 / 133 Kit Harrington as Jon Snow in “Game of Thrones.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 131 / 133 Maisie Williams as Arya Stark in “Game of Thrones.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 132 / 133 Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in “Game of Thrones.” (Helen Sloan / HBO) 133 / 133 Nathalie Emmanuel as Missandei, left, Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister, Conleth Hill as Varys, Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen and Jacob Anderson as Grey Worm in “Game of Thrones.” (Macall B. Polay / HBO)

It’s unclear how hackers got access to HBO’s data, how much they stole or if there was a ransom (cybercriminals are notorious for exaggerating claims). Entertainment Weekly first reported the attack.


“Hi to all mankind,” the hackers said in emails to media outlets, including the Los Angeles Times. “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.”

HBO, which is owned by media giant Time Warner Inc., is just the most recent entertainment company to endure threats from cybercriminals. In May, hackers claimed to have stolen Walt Disney Co.’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” and demanded ransom, though that hack turned out to be a hoax, according to Disney CEO Robert Iger.

In another major recent incident, Netflix was attacked by a hacker known as the Dark Overlord, who uploaded episodes from the new season of “Orange Is the New Black” after the company refused to pay the ransom.

The most devastating example of a Hollywood cyberbreach remains the 2014 attack on Sony Pictures Entertainment that was blamed on North Korea. That attack came as Sony was about to release the comedy “The Interview,” about a fictional attempt to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. It began by crippling Sony’s computer systems and uploading yet-to-be released movies online; it went on to expose embarrassing emails between executives and movie producers.


Hollywood has long been a victim of illegal hacking and piracy, and “Game of Thrones” is already one of the most popular targets. According to website TorrentFreak, citing data from piracy monitoring firm MUSO, the Season 7 premiere of “Game of Thrones” was pirated 90 million times, mostly from unauthorized streaming portals.

In 2015, the first four episodes of “Game of Thrones” Season 5 were leaked to file-sharing sites a day before the first one aired.

Because TV dramas such as “Game of Thrones” are made for the public and analyzed and discussed weekly online, they are highly desirable for cybercriminals.

The more successful a media product, the more vulnerable it is, said Michael Sulmeyer, cybersecurity project director at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University.


“HBO has done brilliantly marketing ‘Game of Thrones’ and it makes them an attractive target for hackers,” he said.

The series, based on the novels by George R.R. Martin, has become a flagship program for the network that first premiered the show in 2011. The premiere of the current season drew 16.1 million viewers in its first day, a record for the network.

Entertainment companies have an especially hard time securing data because so many companies, including special effects specialists and marketing firms, are involved in production and post-production.

“Their systems are highly dispersed,” said Clifford Neuman, director of the Center for Computer Systems Security at the University of Southern California. “There is a lot of moving data all across the system and it makes it more difficult to secure.”


Yet, Neuman said, the breadth of data that the hackers said they accessed suggests that the vulnerability was more central to HBO.

“It seems the data that was distributed is pretty much across the board,” Neuman said.

ryan.faughnder@latimes.com

@rfaughnder


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UPDATES:

5:45 p.m. This article was updated with quotes from cybersecurity experts and additional context about cyberattacks on entertainment companies.

This article was originally published at 11 a.m.