Remember LA Story? This was like a scary, 28 Days Later version of that.

Anyway, you're on a frightening road. I have a similar feeling that car viruses are going to plague people in the not-so-distant future. With so much software controlling the car, it's only a matter of time before someone figures out how to disable it or worse.

Think EMP weapon stuff.

Then again, I watch *a lot* of TV and movies.

What scares me is the huge overhead signs you see going down the highway that are permanently fixed. Most of those have a cell or hard wire modem in them. I would bet that 90% of them are using default passwords as well.

I remember the days of running through phone numbers to try and find open BBSes and fax machines. You can bet the numbers are in the same range as the employees of your local DOT

<tinfoil hat>
I'm just waiting for someone to hack onstar to activate the limp mode (aka we slow your car down to 20 mph for you on the highway) functionality from afar. Imagine doing that to all the GM vehicles with onstar activated on them nice a big metropolitan area during rush hour.
</tinfoil hat>

You'd need to add wireless to the sign somehow, but after that, it *seems* pretty easy. Unconfirmed reports say those signs run a “proprietary”, but who else thinks that's a Linux variant?

This type of attack is only going to get more common. I predict traffic cameras will be compromised next. They do inspire hatred, which is a great way to set off a hacker.

Now if only I could figure out how to tweet messages to one of those signs. That would make it fun. Have you seen the articles on how to replicate RFID passports / credit cards with $250 in hardware? Thats the one that should scare everyone.