Posted on 04/14/2015 5:54:35 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
Hundreds of planes flying commercially today could be vulnerable to having their onboard computers hacked and remotely taken over by someone using the plane's passenger Wi-Fi network, or even by someone on the ground, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office.
One of the authors of the report, Gerald Dillingham, told CNN the planes, include the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the the Airbus A350 and A380 aircraft and have advanced cockpits that are wired into the same Wi-Fi system used by passengers.
"Modern communications technologies, including IP connectivity, are increasingly used in aircraft systems, creating the possibility that unauthorized individuals might access and compromise aircraft avionics systems," according to the report, which is based on interviews with cybersecurity and aviation experts.
The government investigators who wrote the report say it is theoretically possible for someone with just a laptop to:
-- Commandeer the aircraft
-- Put a virus into flight control computers
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
TAG!
Reason number 216 why it’s been almost 20 years since I flew in a commercial plane. Don’t get me started on TSA goons.
I was doing some work for the FAA right after 9/11. One idea that was talked about was a ground-operated system to take control of an airliner. If a 747 started to descend in the direction of — you know: Manhattan — the authorities could take over from the pilot and send the plane to a safer destination.
It was rejected as “too expensive”. And now, here we are, worried that some guy with a laptop might be able to do it.
From a security standpoint, I think that if an authorized system were in place to allow “the right people” to take control, it would be be very much part of that system to ensure that “the wrong people” could not. This is not a hard thing. It’s like the nuclear football. Taking control is impossible — unless the President releases the special code. Only then can the control be given to people on the ground.
But we don’t specialize in homeland security or anything. It’s expensive.
Reminds me of the first episode in May of 2001 of the “X-Files” spinoff, “The Lone Gunmen” where a DC-9’s/MD-80’s control computer was hacked and the plane was flown to New York. The target, the World Trade Center.
I often said that if I hit the powerball for a boatload of money, if I ever started an airline, I would only use old piston engined aircraft like the DC4 thru 7 and the Super Constellation. My father flew aboard the old Super Connies and he told me they were far more comfortable and luxurious than the planes of today. Come to think of it, he flew on one of the first C-130’s when he was in Korea (1956)
The report is crap. I work in this field, and there is a hell of a lot more separation between the flight and entertainment systems than is being discussed.
Why the f2ck would they put critical systems on the same stuff passengers use? Security. Jeeeeebus crisp.
that’s absolutely ridiculous. turbofans above a certain size are mechanically better in every single way unless you find yourself on a dusty dirt runway.
the comfort has mostly to do with the furniture and amount of sound insulation. before cattle car economy class, these things were better so I understand where your dad was coming from. but this has nothing to do with old plane technology being better. just crappier furniture and insulation these days
There are quite a few DC-3s flying with turboprop conversions and modern avionics. That’d be preferable to piston engines - and probably an order of magnitude less costly, too.
Maybe so, but the Super Connie had class and an elegant look to her. I have a Frank Sinatra album from Mom’s collection with him standing with a Super-Connie in the background. Frank Sinatra, that cinches that for me, how can you beat that? Although she is a turbo-prop, I would add some Lockheed Electra’s to the fleet too.
I don’t work in this field, but there is so much in this story that just looks like serious FUD, even to a layman. Not to be believed.
Thank You Captain Obvious!
“The report is crap. I work in this field, and there is a hell of a lot more separation between the flight and entertainment systems than is being discussed.”
Yes, sensationalist claptrap.
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