While a hoax comic, security consultancy IOActive warns that this type of behavior is dangerous and not so difficult for hackers to do, according to Computerworld. This week, it's zombies, but next time it could be something that could really make people panic, as anthrax or terrorist attack.
IOActive said that the devices used by TV stations and radio alerts emergency air have critical vulnerabilities that make them susceptible to cyber attacks. If these devices are not met, hackers can realistically distribute whatever they want millions of viewers and listeners. "We found the devices directly connected to the Internet and we believe it is possible that pirates currently operate some of these vulnerabilities or other defects," Director of Technology IOActive Cesar Cerrudo told Computerworld.
Cerrudo said that at least two types of devices Emergency Alert System are particularly vulnerable to attacks. "We contacted CERT [U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team] almost a month ago and CERT coordinates with the vendor to get the problems resolved," he said.
The hacker got into the system television stations "for the hoax zombie would have used a" backdoor "attack.
"It has been determined that an attack on a" back door "allowed the hacker to access the EAS equipment safety," station manager for ABC 10, one of the stations affected, Cynthia Thompson wrote in a blog post. "The nature of the message Monday night was not necessarily dangerous, but the fact that the system was vulnerable to intrusion from the outside is a danger." ..
