5 Dangerous hacks that may leave you feeling nervous

Electronic Products ^ | 09/05/2013 | Nicolette Emmino

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As technology progresses, we leave ourselves more susceptible to hacking. Although some may view hacking someone’s toilet harmless and a little amusing, it can actually be a potentially dangerous matter. Hacking is such a big deal that there are even whole conferences dedicated to it (like last month’s Def Con convention).



If you thought getting your cellphone or e-mail hacked into was a big deal, check out these hacking stories that may leave you feeling pretty vulnerable.

1. Prison computer gets hacked, releases inmates from their cells

On June 13, in the maximum security wing of the Turner Guildford Knight Correctional Center in Miami, FL, what was initially said to be a computer glitch opened all of the cells to the prison simultaneously.
Corrections investigators are looking at the Black Creek Integrated Systems security system that was installed as part of a $1.4 million security upgrade.

However, investigators are now looking at the surveillance video (obtained by the Miami Herald) which is leading them to believe that this was an intentional hack after two inmates launched a violent attack on another immediately upon the door’s opening.

2. Creep hacks into a baby monitor, shouts disgusting words at sleeping child

The baby monitor that can be hacked. (Image via Foscam)

Last month, a Texas couple heard an unfamiliar voice coming from their two-year-old daughter’s baby monitor. A stranger managed to hack into the monitor (which included a camera) and began shouting perverted remarks at the sleeping baby. Luckily, she couldn’t hear any of it because she was born deaf and her cochlear implants were turned off at the time of the incident. 

3. Famous hacker discovered that hacking a pacemaker can kill someone

Well-known hacker Barnaby Jack, who made his living using his tech skills to reveal security holes before criminals can find them, discovered how a pacemaker can be hacked and a man can be killed from 30 feet away. Jack was supposed to demonstrate this at the Def Con hacker convention last month, but died just a few days before, ABC News reported.

4. Our cars have gotten so smart they’ve become a target of hacking too

This 2010 Toyotal Prius was hacked by Miller and Valasek.(Image via Toyota)

Since our cars are becoming computers on wheels, security experts Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek were able to discover just how easy it is to break into someone’s vehicle and take over all of its major functions. The pair received funding from DARPA in order to hack into a 2010 Ford Escape and a 2010 Toyota Prius.

They were able to hack into these cars using an ordinary cable that can be purchased by anyone and connecting it to a laptop to interact with the On-Board Diagnostics Port, OBD II. In their research, they showed how in two different vehicles they were able to influence the car’s behavior (including brakes, steering, acceleration, display, and to some extent, lights, horn, gas gauge, and speedometer). 

5. You’re watching TV, but a hacker is watching you through your TV

Samsung Smart TV can be a hacking target. (Image via Samsung)

Researchers Aaron Grattafiori and Josh Yavor presented at Def Con last month the ways that a 2012 Samsung Smart TV could be hacked. A hacker could get inside of your TV remotely, turn it on and off and even watch the video from the camera that comes with the set. Samsung says they have released software that resolves this issue.

So, stay safe and keep an eye on all of your electronic devices, before someone starts keeping an eye on you. 

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Remain Clam

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Nut-job Conspiracy Theory Ping!

To get onto The Nut-job Conspiracy Theory Ping List you must threaten to report me to the Mods if I don't add you to the list...

[Mr. K]

Nothing can go wrong *click*...go wrong *click*...go wrong *click*...

[Resolute Conservative]

In the case of cameras, tv’s, and other digital crap sometimes manual switches aren’t such a bad thing.

[Bon of Babble]

LOL. I have a little computer expert in my home — my 19 year old who lives, eats and breathes computers and is studying video gaming at a UC, that is how to design and program the games (easy for him because he already knows a lot of programming from self-study).

He’s told me many “funny” hacking stories and exactly what these hackers can do, which is just about everything you can imagine to breach your privacy.

He stays away from that aspect of programming because he knows the consequences — AND, he was raised to respect the privacy and rights of others and knows his dad would kill him if he did anything illegal online and were caught (because we’d never know unless he were caught) — that is if I didn’t take him out first!!

[Wurlitzer]

“Nothing can go wrong *click*...go wrong *click*...go wrong *click*...”

---

Do you realize in a generation or two, that sentence will be meaningless to anyone who never experienced the joy of vinyl.

[Secret Agent Man]

I for one welcome our SD card overlords. Had enough of the vinyl temperature and storage requirements. Plus the shuffle feature is manual and a real bitch to get just right.

[SatinDoll]

Twelve days ago someone parked a hostage virus on our computer and did so via AVG. The hacker is demanding $300 to unlock the computer but there is no guarantee that will happen if the fee is paid. Furthermore, we can’t afford to pay; that is exactly the sum I try to make every month to be able to meet our bills.

I earn my living, tiny as it is, via selling on eBay and Craigslist. Without a computer I have no way to do business from home. The public library is 10 miles away and is unsatisfactory for maintaining my business which requires photos of items for sale.

We are now facing a cash-flow problem.

P.S.: What clams?

[US_MilitaryRules]

I just got a samsung smart tv and I didn’t see that it came with a camera? I better go look.

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Yep. The Forbin project would be a far shorter book (and movie) if they provided an “off” switch.

[Resolute Conservative]

Love that film.

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Check with Bon of Babble, perhaps her kid can help?

[Pan_Yan]

Well-known hacker Barnaby Jack, who made his living using his tech skills to reveal security holes before criminals can find them, discovered how a pacemaker can be hacked and a man can be killed from 30 feet away. Jack was supposed to demonstrate this at the Def Con hacker convention last month, but died just a few days before, ABC News reported.

An amazing coincidence.

[null and void]

There are several films that would be very short with even minimal preparation of the characters.

Cujo. Shotgun. Two minutes tops...

[ErnBatavia]

From day one, a bandaid got put over the lens of our two laptops that have video capability.

[Trailerpark Badass]

I just got a samsung smart tv and I didn’t see that it came with a camera? I better go look.

Hold on...I can tell you...

(j/k!)

[Drawsing]

Pay another hacker to trace this guy...sue him etc...

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An amazing coincidence.

DARPA funds car hacking.

Hastings abruptly dies just before his planned release of DoD sensitive info.

Breitbart drops dead the day before a planned release of information threatening to the obama information.

The coroner drops dead the day Breitbart's autopsy results are released.

All amazing coinkiy-dinks...

[wally_bert]

I would use a Linux live disc and flash storage to mount the drive, copy what matters, wipe the drive.

[Wurlitzer]

Well, if by SD cards you are referring to MP3 files I would have to disagree. If on the other hand you are referring to CD quality wav files then yes they are superior.

It is a real shame how well MP3 quality has been accepted by the masses. Yes I know when storage was limited and expensive it filled a market. Unfortunately it seems to be dominating the market.

I love the sound and dynamic range of Theater Pipe Organs (lots of upbeat tunes, show tunes, and yes the occasional classical) and MP3 just falls flat.

I am not one of those idiots who fall for the oxygen filled wires or the latest made up sonic words but MP3, no thanks.

I might give them a leg up on vinyl which had been played about 10+ times. A virgin record still beats MP3 if we are only speaking about sound quality. Unfortunately, like most virgins, it is only one once.