International

HBO social media accounts hacked in another cyber attack

World: A group called OurMine appeared to take control of the main HBO accounts, as well as those for the network’s shows including Game of Thrones.

In its posts, OurMine asked HBO to contact it. The posts were deleted after HBO regained control of the account, but users on social media posted screenshots.

“Hi, OurَMiَne are here, we are just testing your security, HBO team please contact us to upgrade the security – ourmine .org -> Contact,” read a message on both social platforms at approximately 8 p.m. PT.

The “Game of Thrones” Facebook page was compromised with the hackers posting about trying to get the hashtag #HBOHacked trending.

OurMine, sometimes called OurMine Team, has been blamed for taking over social media and other online accounts of several prominent people and institutions in the last 2½ years or so, including those of Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai, Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg, Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales, BuzzFeed and TechCrunch.

The social media hack comes after weeks of security issues for the firm. Scripts from shows such as “Game of Thrones” were leaked online earlier this month. The hackers demanded money worth six months of their salary, claiming they make $12 million to $15 million from stealing intellectual property and blackmailing companies.

HBO said Wednesday night that it was investigating the hacking of several of the cable channel’s Twitter accounts, which came as the company is trying to figure out how episodes of its megahit series “Game of Thrones” and other materials were leaked online

In October 2016, BuzzFeed posted a story linking OurMine Team to a teenage Saudi hacker. BuzzFeed was hacked the next day, with an article appearing on the site apparently posted by OurMine.

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