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FBI blames North Korea for Sony hack Obama vows US response to Sony hack
(about 1 hour later)
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation says North Korea was behind a cyber-attack on Sony Pictures over a film about its leader Kim Jong-un. President Barack Obama has vowed a US response after North Korea's alleged cyber-attack on Sony Pictures.
The agency said analysis of malware showed links to North Korea. The US leader also said the studio "made a mistake" in refusing to release a controversial satire depicting the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Sony withdrew the film The Interview following threats from hackers, who had earlier also released sensitive information stored on Sony computers. On Friday US authorities linked North Korea to the hack, which saw sensitive studio information publicly released.
CNN quoted the hackers as welcoming the withdrawal and warning Sony not to release the film in any form. Sony withdrew the film The Interview following continued threats.
The emailed message was received by Sony's top executives on Thursday night and was obtained by CNN. "We will respond," Mr Obama told reporters on Friday, declining to offer specifics. "We will respond proportionately and in a space, time and manner that we choose."
US President Barack Obama is scheduled to address reporters on Friday afternoon, where he is expected to face questions on the matter. He added: "We cannot have a society in which some dictator someplace can start imposing censorship in the United States."
Sony's decision has outraged many artists. Actor George Clooney told the trade website Deadline on Thursday that the film should be released online. The US leader said it was important to protect both public and private cyber-systems from attack which could have significant economic and social impacts.
Earlier the White House labelled the Sony breach a serious national security matter. Mr Obama also noted he believed Sony Pictures was mistaken in failing to go ahead with the release.
On Thursday, White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters US officials had held daily discussions about the Sony cyber-attack and were considering an "appropriate response". "Americans cannot change their patterns of behaviour due to the possibility of a terrorist attack," he said. "That's not who we are, that's not what America is about."
Analysis: Dave Lee, BBC technology reporter
The FBI say it spotted distinct similarities between the type of malware used in the Sony Pictures attack and code used to attack South Korea last year.
Suspicious, yes, but well short of being a smoking gun. When any malware is discovered, it is shared around many experts for analysis - any attacker could simply reversion the code for their own use, like a cover version of a song.
But there's another, better clue: IP addresses - locations, essentially - known to be part of "North Korean infrastructure" formed part of the malware too.
This suggests the attack may have been controlled by people who have acted for North Korea in the past.
Earlier on Friday, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation officially tied North Korea to the cyberattack, linking the country to malware used in the incident.
Sony cancelled the holiday release of the comedy film after national theatre chains refused to show it.Sony cancelled the holiday release of the comedy film after national theatre chains refused to show it.
Hackers had earlier issued a warning referring to the 11 September 2001 terror attacks, saying "the world will be full of fear" if the film was screened.
The movie features James Franco and Seth Rogen as two journalists who are granted an audience with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.The movie features James Franco and Seth Rogen as two journalists who are granted an audience with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
The CIA then enlists the pair to assassinate him. The film was due to have been released over Christmas.The CIA then enlists the pair to assassinate him. The film was due to have been released over Christmas.
Hackers had earlier issued a warning referring to the 11 September 2001 terror attacks, saying "the world will be full of fear" if the film was screened.
The film's cancelled release drew criticism in Hollywood, with some calling it an attack on the freedom of expression.The film's cancelled release drew criticism in Hollywood, with some calling it an attack on the freedom of expression.
Actor George Clooney told the trade website Deadline on Thursday the film should be released online, saying Hollywood shouldn't be threatened by North Korea.Actor George Clooney told the trade website Deadline on Thursday the film should be released online, saying Hollywood shouldn't be threatened by North Korea.
In November, a cyber-attack crippled computers at Sony and led to upcoming films and workers' personal data being leaked online.In November, a cyber-attack crippled computers at Sony and led to upcoming films and workers' personal data being leaked online.
The hackers also released salary details and social security numbers for thousands of Sony employees - including celebrities.The hackers also released salary details and social security numbers for thousands of Sony employees - including celebrities.
North Korea earlier this month denied involvement in the hack - but praised the attack itself as a "righteous deed".North Korea earlier this month denied involvement in the hack - but praised the attack itself as a "righteous deed".
An article on North Korea's state-run KCNA news agency, quoting the country's top military body, said suggestions that Pyongyang was behind the attack were "wild rumour".An article on North Korea's state-run KCNA news agency, quoting the country's top military body, said suggestions that Pyongyang was behind the attack were "wild rumour".
However, it warned the US that "there are a great number of supporters and sympathisers" of North Korea "all over the world" who may have carried out the attack.However, it warned the US that "there are a great number of supporters and sympathisers" of North Korea "all over the world" who may have carried out the attack.
In the article, Sony Pictures was accused of "abetting a terrorist act" and "hurting the dignity of the supreme leadership" of North Korea by producing the movie.In the article, Sony Pictures was accused of "abetting a terrorist act" and "hurting the dignity of the supreme leadership" of North Korea by producing the movie.