Live data from Hacker News

Hacker finds way to (re)use Emergency Broadcast System

abclocal.go.com

1–10 of 21 posts

Re: Hacker finds way to (re)use Emergency Broadcast System

#6
I don't think it would be as easy as the "hacker" claims. It's been close to 10 years since I worked in radio, but the EAS system was one area I had responsibility for. There are a number of radio stations that are designated as primary stations, and the alerts would start with them, and no single station can trigger the alert across the country. You might get a signal to propagate across a few states, which, while bad, isn't quite as big of a deal as they make out.

Re: Hacker finds way to (re)use Emergency Broadcast System

#7
post #4

I also wonder with #spacepunk tech brewing if it's possible to actually overpower a satellites signal. There is someone on kickstarter working on low earth orbit satellites that would stay in orbit for 2 weeks.

As far as I know, all rockets are heavily regulated by the FAA, including have representatives at launch. I'd be willing to bet that an unauthorized launch wouldn't last very long.

Re: Hacker finds way to (re)use Emergency Broadcast System

#8

I don't think it would be as easy as the "hacker" claims. It's been close to 10 years since I worked in radio, but the EAS system was one area I had responsibility for. There are a number of radio stations that are designated as primary stations, and the alerts would start with them, and no single station can trigger the alert across the country. You might get a signal to propagate across a few states, which, while b…

I second this.

It may seems odd to "hackers" that the system is so simple, lacking encryption, authentication, or human checks and balances, but thats kind of the whole point. If it actually needs to be activated, nobody is going to be around to press the big red button or verify encryption keys. They will all be home evacuating their families.

Re: Hacker finds way to (re)use Emergency Broadcast System

#10
Anyone else get the feeling that all of this "hacker" stuff in the media is serving to raise the profile of "hackers" and position them as the new "terrorists" in an effort to create an environment of fear that will lead to support for upcoming Internet regulations?
Post reply on HN