Polish teen derails tram after hacking train network

A Polish teenager allegedly turned the tram system in the city of Lodz into his own personal train set, triggering chaos and derailing four vehicles in the process. Twelve people were injured in one of the incidents.

The 14-year-old modified a TV remote control so that it could be used to change track points, The Telegraph reports. Local police said the youngster trespassed in tram depots to gather information needed to build the device. The teenager told police that he modified track setting for a prank.

"He studied the trams and the tracks for a long time and then built a device that looked like a TV remote control and used it to manoeuvre the trams and the tracks," said Miroslaw Micor, a spokesman for Lodz police.

"He had converted the television control into a device capable of controlling all the junctions on the line and wrote in the pages of a school exercise book where the best junctions were to move trams around and what signals to change.

"He treated it like any other schoolboy might a giant train set, but it was lucky nobody was killed. Four trams were derailed, and others had to make emergency stops that left passengers hurt. He clearly did not think about the consequences of his actions," Micor added.

Transport command and control systems are commonly designed by engineers with little exposure or knowledge about security using commodity electronics and a little native wit. The apparent ease with which Lodz's tram network was hacked, even by these low standards, is still a bit of an eye opener.

Problems with the signalling system on Lodz's tram network became apparent on Tuesday when a driver attempting to steer his vehicle to the right was involuntarily taken to the left. As a result the rear wagon of the train jumped the rails and collided with another passing tram. Transport staff immediately suspected outside interference.

The youth, described by his teachers as an electronics buff and exemplary student, faces charges at a special juvenile court of endangering public safet

Frightening. No conscience in this child. One has to wonder what this kid will be like when he is an adult.

The youth, described by his teachers as an electronics buff and exemplary student, faces charges at a special juvenile court of endangering public safety.

In a way he probably did them a favor. Better a mischevious kid than a terrorist network. In fact, they should have kept it quiet until they have a chance to put some security on that system.

The apparent ease with which Lodz's tram network was hacked, even by these low standards, is still a bit of an eye opener.

I'm betting the tram system's lack of security is just the tip of the iceburg there and here.

4 posted on 01/13/2008 12:46:53 AM PST by mtbopfuyn (I think the border is kind of an artificial barrier - San Antonio councilwoman Patti Radle)

Yes, it is frightening. I hope they use this to fix their problems . Maybe they can get him to show them how to fix it. I used to be shocked at what children can and will do. I wonder if he even thought or cared about the people he hurt. I doubt it sadly.

5 posted on 01/13/2008 12:59:13 AM PST by pandoraou812 (Don't taunt the animal's at the zoo or they may bite YOU!)

One has to wonder what this kid will be like when he is an adult.

Inmate # 4567342

6 posted on 01/13/2008 1:51:47 AM PST by clamper1797 (Fred Thompson - Duncan Hunter for POTUS and Vice Potus in either order)

Yeah, I live in Lodz, I’ve been using buses since I learned that a 14 y.o. can paralize tram system. -.-

7 posted on 01/13/2008 2:10:16 AM PST by Verdelet (Defensor Patriae!)

8 posted on 01/13/2008 5:20:15 AM PST by Into the Vortex (IT'S FREDTIME)

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