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Author Topic: ZOMBIES AHEAD  (Read 6466 times)

Angel Eyes

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ZOMBIES AHEAD
« on: January 28, 2009, 03:09:04 PM »

All right, which one of you was it?



http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,484326,00.html


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."

[more at the link]



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Strings

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Re: ZOMBIES AHEAD
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2009, 03:32:29 PM »
Ok... which one of y'all was it?
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No Child Should Live In Fear

What was that about a pearl handled revolver and someone from New Orleans again?

Screw it: just autoclave the planet (thanks Birdman)

K Frame

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Re: ZOMBIES AHEAD
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2009, 03:39:30 PM »
Just because I've been playing a lot of Left 4 Dead everyone immediately suspects me...
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Strings

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Re: ZOMBIES AHEAD
« Reply #3 on: January 28, 2009, 03:51:46 PM »
NO... we suspect you because you're usually guilty...  :laugh:
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No Child Should Live In Fear

What was that about a pearl handled revolver and someone from New Orleans again?

Screw it: just autoclave the planet (thanks Birdman)

Headless Thompson Gunner

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Re: ZOMBIES AHEAD
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2009, 03:59:21 PM »
Heh.  That sounds like fun.  I wonder what it would take to do that?

I wonder where the nearest electronic road sign is?
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Nick1911

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Re: ZOMBIES AHEAD
« Reply #5 on: January 28, 2009, 04:01:40 PM »
I've kind of wondered about this in the past.  Clearly, the permanent signs are all networked together - but on what network?
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K Frame

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Re: ZOMBIES AHEAD
« Reply #6 on: January 28, 2009, 04:11:41 PM »
They're controlled usually from the DOT district office wia a satellite or cellular wireless network.

At least that's how the ones in Virginia are done.
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Harold Tuttle

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Re: ZOMBIES AHEAD
« Reply #7 on: January 28, 2009, 04:24:42 PM »
peanut gallery says that most of the signs are physically unlocked and have the default admin password still in place

You can prolly overwrite the skynet programing and "All yer Base" will display until the next auto refresh from the net
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MechAg94

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Re: ZOMBIES AHEAD
« Reply #8 on: January 28, 2009, 04:29:07 PM »

In Boston, wouldn't this be a bomb?
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MechAg94

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Re: ZOMBIES AHEAD
« Reply #9 on: January 28, 2009, 04:51:21 PM »
I forgot.  The state legislature is in session.  It was probably just restating the obvious. 
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Jamisjockey

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Re: ZOMBIES AHEAD
« Reply #10 on: January 28, 2009, 04:55:04 PM »
 :lol:

 :laugh:

 =D

My wife thinks I'm really insane now, I've been laughing for 5 minutes.
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Brad Johnson

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Re: ZOMBIES AHEAD
« Reply #11 on: January 28, 2009, 05:00:28 PM »
Quote from: Harold Tuttle on January 28, 2009, 04:24:42 PM
peanut gallery says that most of the signs are physically unlocked and have the default admin password still in place

That reminds me... A few years back I had a meeting at a client's office.  He had a phone system identical to the one I managed at a former job.  Out of curiousity (and with his permission) I leaned over and tapped in the default admin login and password.  It popped right up, giving me full admin priviledges on his phone and voicemail system. He wasn't happy.

I guess he appreciated the heads-up.  I got a nice Thank You card and a pretty healthy gift certificate from him a few days later. I sent him a tongue-in-cheek note back that, for another gift certificate, I wouldn't change his display name to "Jerkface".  Apparently it was a hit, his secretary later called to schedule an appointment because "Mr. Jerkface wants you to list his house".

Brad
« Last Edit: January 28, 2009, 05:04:42 PM by Brad Johnson »
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crt360

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Re: ZOMBIES AHEAD
« Reply #12 on: January 28, 2009, 05:27:50 PM »
:laugh:

Classic.  I used to live a few blocks from there.  I think most of the zombies chilled in Pease Park.
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For entertainment purposes only.

TMM

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Re: ZOMBIES AHEAD
« Reply #13 on: January 28, 2009, 06:07:25 PM »
well, i'm not that much of a regular here, but i'm familiar enough with you guys to know that it's Fistful's fault, right?

tmm
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Lennyjoe

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Re: ZOMBIES AHEAD
« Reply #14 on: January 28, 2009, 07:15:51 PM »
 "Change you can believe in".
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Fly320s

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Re: ZOMBIES AHEAD
« Reply #15 on: January 28, 2009, 08:22:51 PM »
Quote from: Jack Straw from Wichita on January 28, 2009, 03:09:04 PM
"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."
You notice that he didn't deny that there were zombies ahead.   :O  The censors let that one slip by.
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Strings

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Re: ZOMBIES AHEAD
« Reply #16 on: January 28, 2009, 08:25:24 PM »
Normally, we'd assume it was Fistful. However, Mike's already protesting his innocence, so...  :laugh:
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No Child Should Live In Fear

What was that about a pearl handled revolver and someone from New Orleans again?

Screw it: just autoclave the planet (thanks Birdman)

Physics

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Re: ZOMBIES AHEAD
« Reply #17 on: January 28, 2009, 10:03:41 PM »
« Last Edit: January 28, 2009, 10:29:43 PM by Physics »
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Manedwolf

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Re: ZOMBIES AHEAD
« Reply #18 on: January 28, 2009, 11:49:59 PM »
Actually, someone hacked a highway sign leading into Boston like this, but it was a lot...um...more profane. :)
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Harold Tuttle

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Re: ZOMBIES AHEAD
« Reply #19 on: January 29, 2009, 12:08:11 AM »
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"The true mad scientist does not make public appearances! He does not wear the "Hello, my name is.." badge!
He strikes from below like a viper or on high like a penny dropped from the tallest building around!
He only has one purpose--Do bad things to good people! Mit science! What good is science if no one gets hurt?!"

Zardozimo Oprah Bannedalas

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Re: ZOMBIES AHEAD
« Reply #20 on: January 29, 2009, 01:52:53 AM »
Quote
All right, which one of you was it?
Not me. I don't think I have an alibi, and I was probably on the internets at the time, but I'm pretty sure I'm innocent. I would've put "Expect Major Delays. Fistful's Fault" anyway.
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Harold Tuttle

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Re: ZOMBIES AHEAD
« Reply #21 on: January 29, 2009, 07:59:21 AM »
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"The true mad scientist does not make public appearances! He does not wear the "Hello, my name is.." badge!
He strikes from below like a viper or on high like a penny dropped from the tallest building around!
He only has one purpose--Do bad things to good people! Mit science! What good is science if no one gets hurt?!"

RevDisk

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Re: ZOMBIES AHEAD
« Reply #22 on: January 29, 2009, 09:45:22 AM »
Quote from: Nick1911 on January 28, 2009, 04:01:40 PM
I've kind of wondered about this in the past.  Clearly, the permanent signs are all networked together - but on what network?

The huge signs usually have a net connection to the home office.   Cell is most common, but there's some hard wired ones.  But, if you have physical access to the box, you can override the automated system and install your own message.  I won't comment on the lack of information security fundimentals by ad companies (coughreadharoldspostcough).

The el cheapo store front text signs (and a few of the more expensive ones)?   You can only program them with a 'special' OEM keyboard, that uses IR.   =D

Or if your laptop has an IR port on it....
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Harold Tuttle

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Re: ZOMBIES AHEAD
« Reply #23 on: January 29, 2009, 10:49:17 AM »
« Last Edit: January 29, 2009, 01:40:09 PM by Harold Tuttle »
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"The true mad scientist does not make public appearances! He does not wear the "Hello, my name is.." badge!
He strikes from below like a viper or on high like a penny dropped from the tallest building around!
He only has one purpose--Do bad things to good people! Mit science! What good is science if no one gets hurt?!"

BlueStarLizzard

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Re: ZOMBIES AHEAD
« Reply #24 on: January 29, 2009, 11:46:09 AM »
i'm glad my dad didn't see that. he'd have been like "hell yeah!" and would've started loading up.  :lol:
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