HBO is the target of the latest high profile hacking attack, when hackers under the alias 'Mr. Smith' leaked an array of stolen HBO (TWX  ) files on the internet, attempting to blackmail the network with further such postings if HBO failed to pay them millions of dollars as ransom in bitcoin, which is apparently equivalent to the hackers' 6 month salary.

Approximately 1.5 terabytes of data was stolen, some of which entailed "scripts from five "Game of Thrones" episodes, including one coming episode, and a month's worth of email from the account of Leslie Cohen, HBO's vice president for film programming." Not only this, but important internal documents such as legal claims against HBO and recruitment materials were leaked.

HBO said in a statement today

We are not in communication with the hacker and we're not going to comment every time a new piece of information is released. It has been widely reported that there was a cyber incident at HBO. The hacker may continue to drop bits and pieces of stolen information in an attempt to generate media attention. That's a game we're not going to participate in. Obviously, no company wants their proprietary information stolen and released on the internet. Transparency with our employees, partners, and the creative talent that works with us has been our focus throughout this incident and will remain our focus as we move forward. This incident has not deterred us from ensuring HBO continues to do what we do best.

© Thomas Hawk / Flickr.com

This incident is just the newest in a purported trend that has hackers targeting the entertainment industry for several years now due to its inferior security systems and immense financial holdings. This year itself, the industry has seen multiple hacking incidents: In April, TheDarkOverlord hacking group leaked ten episodes of the Netflix (NTFLX  ) hit original, Orange is the New Black.

While not as catastrophic as the 2014 Sony hacking incident, many new shows like the comedy "Insecure," were leaked; the show was to have its just days after. The short-term damage, although bad, is not nearly as bad as what could happen if attacks like this continue: shows could perform extremely poorly and garner less views due to previously published content, while producers and creative executives could refuse to work with HBO for fear of piracy and a lack of security, costing the company millions of additional hidden dollars.

For now, HBO seems to be intent on fighting back, proving that the level of material released was not all that damaging: however, for all we know, the hacker could very well be holding back. Whether HBO has called its bluff or succumbed to a series of impending cyber attacks, only time will tell.