Hackers got Denver crosswalks to hate on Trump
5 hours ago
- #public-safety
- #technology
- #cybersecurity
- Denver officials confirmed that two crosswalk devices on East Colfax Avenue were hacked to broadcast anti-Trump messages over the weekend.
- The hacked signals displayed messages like '[expletive] Trump' and 'Trump murders children' using the device's artificial voice.
- The hack was possible because the city failed to change the default passwords on newly installed crosswalk push-buttons.
- The devices were still in factory settings with an easily discoverable default password and were accidentally connected to power.
- The city disconnected the hacked devices at Colfax Avenue and Pearl Street and later at Washington Street, then changed all passwords.
- A similar incident occurred in California last year when Caltrans left default passwords on crosswalk signals, making them accessible via Bluetooth.
- Experts noted that older crosswalk signals require physical access to hack, unlike newer Bluetooth-enabled ones.
- The incident serves as a warning to change default passwords on all devices, including home routers, to prevent unauthorized access.