Last month San Francisco highway operators were victim to multiple hacker pranks. Temporary traffic control signs were brought onto Van Ness Ave due to the Bay to Breakers event. The annual footrace often causes backups on Van Ness Ave and Lombard St.
Daktronics Inc. is a large supplier of video signs. Programmers code default passwords into the software as a means to quickly access video sign servers. After pictures surfaced of the signs reading “Godzilla Attack!”, “Turn Back” and “It’s Too Damn Hot”, the Department of Homeland Security has advised company programmers to implement tougher access credentials and recommends customers to update firmware daily.
In the age of the internet, encryption programs are struggling to contest with hackers able to crack into Ebay accounts, government records, closed-circuit television and even traffic signs. Most people use the internet to participate in a global community. Hackers work with regional and confined online environments. Since both types of users operate on the same service providers, corporate companies like Daktronics Inc. fail to protect confidential information.
The hacked road signs have received positive feedback from social media sites. Despite the jokes, the Department of Homeland Security stresses these types of hacks are a threat to a community’s safety in the immediate area.
Many drivers and passengers snap photos of the funny messages. When people pull out their phones in order to snap the perfect pic, they are participating in hazardous behavior. The Cyber Emergency Response Team is assessing methods which highway operators can take in order to prevent more road sign hacks.