Sony Hackers Flash Disturbing New Warning on Staffers’ Computers (Exclusive)

A group claiming to be the #GOP displayed the scary image on Thursday, an insider tells TheWrap

A group purporting to be the Guardians of Peace or #GOP sent a new warning to Sony Pictures Thursday, causing an ominous message to flash across employee computer screens, an individual familiar with the situation tells TheWrap.
Several staffers received the message, the individual said, with most left feeling “disturbed.” Reps for Sony have not yet responded to TheWrap’s request for comment. However, a second insider confirmed this latest threat vowed to do damage if the #GOP’s demands are not met.
This is the fourth known time the #GOP has contacted the studio. The group previously accessed dozens of Sony employee computer screens in late November, displaying a similarly ominous image when staff tried to log in for work. See a screenshot here.
Also read: Sony Hack: FBI Says Attack So Sophisticated, Would Have Gotten Past '90 Percent' of Firms
Even more frightening than the menacing images, on December 5 an email was sent threatening the well-being of employees and their families.
“Removing Sony Pictures on earth is a very tiny work for our group which is a worldwide organization. And what we have done so far is only a small part of our further plan,” the email said.
The note asks staff to acknowledge the company’s wrongdoing by sending an email to an unspecified address, adding “if you don’t, not only you but your family will be in danger.”
Watch: 'SNL' Host James Franco, Seth Rogen Address Sony Hack: 'It's Much, Much Worse Than We Thought' (Video)
Thursday saw a barrage of new developments and damage control in relation to the hack. First, studio chief Amy Pascal and producer Scott Rudin issued apologies for mocking President Barack Obama in a racially-charged email chain about the President’s potential favorite movies.
Shortly thereafter, actor Kevin Hart blasted the studio for labeling him a “whore” in another email chain for reportedly seeking additional compensation to promote a film on social media.
Most disturbing, a Bloomberg report said more than three dozen Sony employee and family medical records are contained in the leaked information.
In terms of the studios’ internal and FBI probes, an individual familiar with the situation told TheWrap a new theory has been floating: if North Korea is involved in the breach, as has been speculated, the country had assistance from within the company.