HBO sent an email to an anonymous hacker or group called "Mr. Smith" who claimed responsibility for a massive cyber attack at the premium television network reportedly stealing around 1.5 terabytes of data from HBO, Investopedia reported on Friday.
The hackers said they managed to get a hold of unreleased HBO show scripts of ‘Game of Thrones’, videos, internal documents, emails and other sensitive information. They demanded a ransom of $6-7 million in Bitcoin (Bitcoin)
In the email to hackers dated July 27 HBO said it was reviewing the material sent by the group and asked for the ransom deadline to be extended as it is establishing ‘the necessary account and acquire bitcoin."
"As a show of good faith on our side, we are willing to commit to making a bug bounty payment of $250,000 to you as soon as we can establish the necessary account and acquire bitcoin," the email also read.
A source close to the television network told CNBC that this email was only a "delay tactic”.
Crypto-currencies gained popularity among hackers as ransom payment method. In May 2017 hackers who stood behind WannaCry virus dissemination also demanded ransom in Bitcoin.