Why NK wasn't behind the Sony attacks, for dummies:

[NobleSavage]

1. The Original Messages from the Hackers were About Layoffs, Not “The Interview”

2. Underground Hackers Share Code and Tools

3. IP Addresses Are Poor Evidence

4. The “Clues” Leading to North Korea Could Have Been Faked

5. North Korea but Not the Government

For more detailed explanation:http://www.businessinsider.com/why-...th-korea-masterminded-the-sony-attack-2014-12

I'd make the argument that it's mostly "who knows".

 

[Bronzeage]

These are all very valid reasons and if we assume the public knows everything relevant to the situation, case closed.

 

[Underseer]

Some of the proposed alternative explanations make less sense than the NK explanation, and probably should not have been included in that opinion piece.

For instance, if this was carried out by cybercriminals, what did they get out of hacking Sony that justified all that effort? If they didn't get their hands on a lot of credit card numbers (or something of similarly high value), then the motive just doesn't make sense. If they did get their hands on credit card numbers, why isn't Sony warning customers? Why isn't the media warning Sony customers?

The disgruntled ex-employee thing does sound like a plausible alternative explanation, but the others? Eh.

 

[Nice Squirrel]

Or my theory: publicity stunt.

 

[Bronzeage]

Some of the proposed alternative explanations make less sense than the NK explanation, and probably should not have been included in that opinion piece.

For instance, if this was carried out by cybercriminals, what did they get out of hacking Sony that justified all that effort? If they didn't get their hands on a lot of credit card numbers (or something of similarly high value), then the motive just doesn't make sense. If they did get their hands on credit card numbers, why isn't Sony warning customers? Why isn't the media warning Sony customers?

The disgruntled ex-employee thing does sound like a plausible alternative explanation, but the others? Eh.

If I were a disgruntled employee, who had the skills to hack into the corporate IT system, there would be many less risky and more lucrative options. Why waste all that effort for nothing more than embarrassing my former bosses. If I was such a person and was approached by someone who was willing to pay for the same thing, that's different.

If this is not a government action, whoever did this is risking a lot. There better be a lot of money in it. Who wants to be Eric Snowden's roommate?