New leaks of stolen internal documents from Sony Corporation are being dumped on the web almost daily since the firm was hacked, but now it’s fighting back with some dirty tricks of its own.

A report in Re/Code reveals Sony is using surreptitious methods to block anyone who’s trying to download its stolen documents via torrent sites. The tactic involves deploying fake “seeds” – or shared files – in order to overwhelm torrent applications with fake traffic. According to Re/Code, this is similar to what media companies used to do many years ago in an effort to block illegal movie downloads.

Essentially, it amounts to a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack on those who’re trying to download the files. Sony is said to be getting help from Amazon Web Services to carry out its counterattacks, according to Re/Code’s sources.

Sony’s operation comes in response to one of the most high profile cybersecurity breaches in recent memory. Last week, a mysterious group called Guardians of Peace hacked Sony Picture’s computer systems and made off with around 100 terabytes of confidential data, including financial information, internal emails, payroll data and several of its unpublished feature films. Most damaging perhaps, is the data also contains spreadsheets of financial deals Sony has struck with third parties revealing how much they’ve paid the company for the rights to screen certain TV shows and movies.

Since the hack, the Guardians of Peace have dumped a number of the stolen files onto sites like PasteBin, where anyone can download them. However, Re/Code says that in the last couple of days individuals attempting to download the files have encountered numerous fake “seeds” which sap the resources of torrent applications, slowing download speeds to a snail’s pace.

North Korea is said to be the main suspect behind the attack and its officials have even gone on record to praise it as a “righteous deed”, although they deny any direct involvement.

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