US government issues hacker attack warning, "defensive measures" needed
Posted by: Jon Ben-Mayor on 06/08/2014 07:47 AM
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The US government is warning that further attacks on the nations traffic signs are possible due to lax security protocols, advising electronic traffic sign operators to take "defensive measures" and secure the rolling hacker prank magnets to stop any further fun.
It said that information had been posted on the Internet advising hackers how to access those systems using default passwords coded into the company's software. "ICS-CERT recommends entities review sign messaging, update access credentials and harden communication paths to the signs," the agency said in an alert posted on Thursday.
The increase will be blamed on 'Watch Dogs' in 3-2-1... According to Krebs on Security, who sited a confidential report from the Center for Internet Strategy, or CIS, which reads in part, that the increase in attacks “…likely coincides with the May 27, 2014 release of the video game ‘Watch Dogs,’ in which game play revolves around ‘hacking,’ with a focus on hacking critical infrastructure-based electronic devices in particular. Watch Dogs allows players to hack electronic road signs, closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs), street lights, cell phones and other systems. On May 27, 2014, the malicious actor posted an image of the game on his Twitter feed, demonstrating his interest in the game, and the compromise of road signs occurs during game play. CIS believes it is likely that a small percentage of Watch Dog players will experiment with compromising computers and electronic systems outside of game play, and that this activity will likely affect SSLT [state, local, tribal and territorial] government systems and Department of Transportation (DOT) systems in particular.”
Hackers beware, it may be "too damn hot" for awhile!
It said that information had been posted on the Internet advising hackers how to access those systems using default passwords coded into the company's software. "ICS-CERT recommends entities review sign messaging, update access credentials and harden communication paths to the signs," the agency said in an alert posted on Thursday.
The increase will be blamed on 'Watch Dogs' in 3-2-1... According to Krebs on Security, who sited a confidential report from the Center for Internet Strategy, or CIS, which reads in part, that the increase in attacks “…likely coincides with the May 27, 2014 release of the video game ‘Watch Dogs,’ in which game play revolves around ‘hacking,’ with a focus on hacking critical infrastructure-based electronic devices in particular. Watch Dogs allows players to hack electronic road signs, closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs), street lights, cell phones and other systems. On May 27, 2014, the malicious actor posted an image of the game on his Twitter feed, demonstrating his interest in the game, and the compromise of road signs occurs during game play. CIS believes it is likely that a small percentage of Watch Dog players will experiment with compromising computers and electronic systems outside of game play, and that this activity will likely affect SSLT [state, local, tribal and territorial] government systems and Department of Transportation (DOT) systems in particular.”
Hackers beware, it may be "too damn hot" for awhile!
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