Signs in Maine hacked to display rude message
Pranksters in Portland, Maine changed the message on three road signs overnight.
Hackers in Portland, Maine had strong words for drivers overnight: “YOU SUCK.”
The crude declaration was broadcast on three electronic traffic message boards in the western part of Portland from approximately 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. Wednesday, city spokeswoman Jessica Grondin said. The signs are usually reserved for alerting drivers to roadwork or other precautions.
“How rude!” the New Hampshire Department of Transportation wrote in a Facebook post, along with a photo of one of the signs. “A lesson from Portland, Maine of the need for contractors (and DOT’s) to protect their electronic message boards from hackers.”
The signs are owned by a contractor working with the city, Grondin said. The keypads on the back of the signs were not locked, making them a prime target for the pranksters.
The contractor has since made sure that all of the keypads remain locked, Grondin said.
Bill Boynton, a spokesman for New Hampshire DOT, said people hacking into road signs isn’t entirely uncommon. He said he’s heard of signs being changed to, “Beware of zombies” before.
https://www.facebook.com/NHDOT/photos/a.475232275867053.106607.333648210025461/1140094089380865/?type=3&theater
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