Hackers Crack Into Texas Road Sign, Warn of Zombies Ahead

Fox News ^ | 1/28/2008 | Joshua Rhett Miller

[Domandred]

Transportation officials in Texas are scrambling to prevent hackers from changing messages on digital road signs after one sign in Austin was altered to read, "Zombies Ahead."

Chris Lippincott, director of media relations for the Texas Department of Transportation, confirmed that a portable traffic sign at Lamar Boulevard and West 15th Street, near the University of Texas at Austin, was hacked into during the early hours of Jan. 19.

"It was clever, kind of cute, but not what it was intended for," said Lippincott, who saw the sign during his morning commute. "Those signs are deployed for a reason — to improve traffic conditions, let folks know there's a road closure."

"It's sort of amusing, but not at all helpful," he told FOXNews.com.

[Domandred]

[Domandred]

Best...hack...ever

[keepitreal]

Zombies ahead in liberal Austin. I think the hackers are just giving fair warning.

[relictele]

Those signs are deployed for a reason — to improve traffic conditions, let folks know there's a road closure

Is that why PennDOT wastes time and sightlines with signs left out displaying the usual nanny-state twaddle such as "Please buckle up" and "Drive Safely?"

[mnehring]

It could only be better if it where something like “Warning, Hippies Crossing”..

[a fool in paradise]

Was it just down the road from this?

[G-Bear]

I don’t care who you are, that sh%ts funny!

[Marie2]

Oh, we could have a lot of fun with that knowledge.

[Tex Pete]

“Zombies ahead in liberal Austin. I think the hackers are just giving fair warning.”

I went to U.T., and I agree.

[brytlea]

I’m sure they were simply warning of Democrat voters.

[novemberslady]

This is great (:

[kimmie7]

I have to agree. /fun-loving-gal

Shame on them! /mom

[KoRn]

lol!!

[Billthedrill]

Who says it was hacked? I mean, isn't it the sort of thing you'd want to know when you're driving through an area?

Oh, it'll be hushed up by the government just like they hush up ALL the zombie outbreaks. But we know better. I read it on the Internet so you know it's true.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

LOL! Epic win. ;)

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Nice!

[Constitution Day]

[Liberty Valance]

LOL! Truth in advertising rocks!

[boocoowell]

Many years ago I visited a friend in the DC area and saw one of these signs reading: “Drive Normally.” This sums up the mindset there. I have never seen this instruction before or since.

[VanillaBlizzard]

Ping! haha

[fatima]

Bob Hope on Zombies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a6YdNmK77k

[a fool in paradise]

Keep Austin North

[SpinnerWebb]

Ping for Austin hijinx. pretty hilarious.

[GOPJ]

Finally, a hacker trick that’s funny.

[null and void]

Perfect!

[dead]

"Those signs are deployed for a reason

Yes, and the reason is to allow state legislators to funnel money to campaign contributors who own electronic sign companies.

Zombies Ahead!

[Dead Corpse]

[Leg Olam]

Not hard to do. Its DOTs fault if they don’t lock the access panel or change the default password.

http://www.i-hacked.com/content/view/274/48/

[Dead Corpse]

More like, “BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA”

[null and void]

I saw one in LA that said “Flooded when wet”

[lightman]

All Interstates approaching DC should have signs reading:

Danger: OBOTS Ahead!

[FoxInSocks]

I'm surprised it was even legible. If it was on a sign around here, it would read: Z BI S AH D

[Domandred]

Now that I have a garage in my new house I think I’m gonna make one of those Emergency Zombie Defense Stations next to the work bench :).

[Arrowhead1952]

I heard about this on Jeff’s show yesterday evening, just before the 6 PM news. Must be referring to all the Hussein voters.

[Responsibility2nd]

I too have been to Autsin.

There are indeed Zombies there.

And they party hard on 6th St.

[txhurl]

Best LOL since Nov 4.

[Jet Jaguar]

sweet

[Pistolshot]

[Deb]

(beep)

[Holicheese]

My wife told me not to worry about Zombies. Boy was she ever wrong!

[stainlessbanner]

I like the last one..”kids ok”

[BlueNgold]

So has the FBI recovered the CIP device yet?
This is clearly a warning shot and test run for future disruptive attacks...

Dangit - where’s Jack?????

[Bob]

In all likelihood, the crew will not have changed it [the default password]. However if they did, never fear. Hold “Control” and “Shift” and while holding, enter “DIPY”. This will reset the sign and reset the password to “DOTS” in the process. You’re in!

Quite an impressive programming effort there, at least in terms of security.

[Arrowhead1952]

You know it's bad in Austin when you can goggle images leslie and this is the third to pop up.

[Born to Conserve]

“Those signs are deployed for a reason”

Yes, to give you legal warning that you are entering an enhanced revenue corridor, and that all fines will be doubled to pay for socialist causes.

Damn right “zombies ahead”.

[Responsibility2nd]

They need another Warning Sign.

Watch our for those dammed Skating Zombies from Austin.

[redhead]

OMG!! That’s so PERFECT!

[texmexis best]

Anyone know the cost of these signs?

[girlscout]

LOL!! Too funny and too true!