FBI formally accuses N. Korea of hacking Sony

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Friday blamed North Korea for a damaging attack against Sony Pictures.

The agency formally acknowledged the involvement of the Pyongyang government in the attack and said tools and infrastructure were similar to previous activity from North Korea.

The FBI said there was a "significant overlap" between the IP addresses used in the Sony attack and those used in former incursions linked to North Korea. It also said there were similarities in specific lines of code and encryption algorithms.

"As a result of our investigation, and in close collaboration with other US Government departments and agencies, the FBI now has enough information to conclude that the North Korean government is responsible for these actions," said a statement.

Film depicts assassination

The cyber-attack more than three weeks ago was the most destructive hacking of a company on US soil and was conducted by hackers calling themselves "Guardians of Peace." The exact motive had not been initially clear.

The computer network at Sony Pictures Entertainment collapsed and prompted the leak of embarrassing emails. The attack also led to Sony's cancellation of "The Interview," a action comedy film that culminates in a scene showing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un being assassinated.

The "destructive nature" of the attack, coupled with "its coercive nature," set it apart from previous attacks, the FBI said. The US government has called the cyber-attacks "a matter of national security."

US movie theaters had already said they would not show the film after the hackers made threats to cinemas and audiences. Some in Washington have criticized Sony for appearing to give in to the cyberattackers.

rc/tj (AP, AFP, dpa, Reuters)