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You are here: Home / Google+ Posts / University of Michigan researchers find that hacking into traffic lights is pretty…

University of Michigan researchers find that hacking into traffic lights is pretty…

August 20, 2014 by Paul Spoerry 2 Comments

University of Michigan researchers find that hacking into traffic lights is pretty darn simple with just a regular old laptop
Three major weaknesses existed: unencrypted wireless connections, the use of default usernames and passwords, and vulnerable dubugging ports—meant that the researchers were able to take control over the lights with a normal laptop. As long as the wireless card in the hacker's computer can communicate at the same frequency that the traffic lights use (5.8Ghz), it can break into the wireless network that powers the entire system.

Scary considering we're putting more and more devices online, but the people doing it don't even put the most basic security practices in place. 

If that doesn't scare you… this sort of thing goes all the way up to the most frightening of things: The launch code for US nukes was 00000000 for 20 years… no really: http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/12/launch-code-for-us-nukes-was-00000000-for-20-years/

Traffic Light Study Reveals Serious Hacking Risk | MIT Technology Review
Security flaws in a system of networked stoplights point to looming problems with an increasingly connected infrastructure.

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Filed Under: Google+ Posts

About Paul Spoerry

I’m a groovy cat who’s into technology, Eastern Thought, and house music. I’m a proud and dedicated father to the coolest little guy on the planet (seriously, I'm NOT biased). I’m fascinated by ninjas, the Internet, and anybody who can balance objects on their nose for long periods of time.

I have a utility belt full of programming languages and a database of all my knowledge on databases... I practice code fu. Oh, I've also done actual Kung Fu, and have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

I run. I meditate. I dance. I blog at PaulSpoerry.com, tweet @PaulSpoerry, and I'm here on Google+.

I'm currently work for IBM developing web enabled insurance applications for IBM and support and develop a non-profit called The LittleBigFund.

Comments

  1. Matt Ballard says

    August 20, 2014 at 12:15 pm

    See? Live Free or Die Hard wasn't that horrible of a movie afterall!

    Ok, so it is still pretty bad, but still….

  2. Paul Spoerry says

    August 20, 2014 at 12:40 pm

    "You just killed a helicopter with a car!"

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