Did Sony just get hit by a ransomware attack?

Many wonder, "Who are Ransomed.vc?" A recent entrant to the dark web, their origins trace back to just last month. In this short span, they've quickly made a mark, racking up a substantial list of victims, their notoriety accentuated by their alleged connections to earlier dark web forums. Unlike the run-of-the-mill hacking group, Ransomed.vc seems to be a ransomware operator and a ransomware-as-a-service organization. Talk about multitasking! The group touts itself as a "secure solution" for company vulnerabilities, even claiming compliance with the GDPR and other data privacy laws. The group's modus operandi seems to hinge on leveraging these very laws to intimidate and subdue their victims - a finesse that's as artful as it's unsettling.

If nothing else, this is a slow Tuesday for Sony. A behemoth of Sony's stature has weathered storms before. Flashback to 2011, and the PlayStation Network debacle comes to mind - 77 million registered accounts compromised. That security breach not only cost Sony financially but dented their reputation significantly, prompting them to face Congress and eventually offer compensations to assuage affected customers.

When compared to the group is claiming, it's understandable why Sony has yet to release an official statement.

One can't help but question the intentions and audacity of Ransomed.vc. Their blatant proclamations and intent to sell rather than ransom the data is both a challenge and a threat to corporations worldwide. While some point out a certain lack of consistency in their claims - stating that breaching "all of Sony's systems" seems exaggerated considering the vast global infrastructure of the company - others remain wary, knowing full well the repercussions of underestimating a seemingly nascent threat.

As the clock ticks towards Ransomed.vc's declared "post date" of September 28, the looming question remains: Will the data find a buyer or will it be posted for the world to see? With the group's known operations primarily rooted in Russia and Ukraine, and Sony's previous history with cyber-attacks, this digital chess game seems poised for a checkmate. Only time will reveal the victor.

Speaking of Sony, the company's industry-leading gaming arm, Sony Interactive Entertainment, made headlines after its CEO, Jim Ryan, made bold comparisons between Bungie and Activision Blizzard on top of promising a future for the console that will continue to see "beautiful narrative rich games."