Hacked subway LEDs mock Canada's prime minister

Iria · May 3, 2006, 05:22 PM

Source: News.com
__________
A mocking announcement about Canada's prime minister, Stephen Harper, was flashed on electronic advertising signs on Toronto area commuter trains for several days, and technicians were still scrambling on Tuesday to get the signs fixed.

"Stephen Harper Eats Babies. Stephen Harper Eats Babies. Stephen Harper Eats Babies," started to appear every three seconds across some LED screens late last week. The signs usually carry transit updates and advertising spots.

"It appears that this was a case of electronic vandalism," said Stephanie Sorensen, corporate communications and media specialist for the GO Transit commuter system. "We assume it was a hacker. We haven't identified the person who did this but we're working closely with the contractor who runs the signs to fix the problem."

Judas · May 3, 2006, 05:41 PM

that would be priceless....

pr0digal jenius · May 3, 2006, 08:02 PM

bah...no pictures!?!

Zelig · May 3, 2006, 08:53 PM

Hahah, that's impressive.

BiGBrOwNPimpsta · May 4, 2006, 12:29 AM

i never saw it anywhere though. im on the TTC often just not on weekends

Tipstaff · May 4, 2006, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiGBrOwNPimpsta

i never saw it anywhere though. im on the TTC often just not on weekends

It was for Go Transit anyways. They're LED display systems (just above the doors) are fed updated info wirelessly. From what I remember the range is something like 6 feet, and when they pass certain transmitters (can't remember if they are only in the stations or not), they get updated with info on such things like train delays, accidents, and what not.

BiGBrOwNPimpsta · May 4, 2006, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

It was for Go Transit anyways. They're LED display systems (just above the doors) are fed updated info wirelessly. From what I remember the range is something like 6 feet, and when they pass certain transmitters (can't remember if they are only in the stations or not), they get updated with info on such things like train delays, accidents, and what not.

what station? i was at union last week on my way to an exam

Tipstaff · May 4, 2006, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiGBrOwNPimpsta

what station? i was at union last week on my way to an exam

While I didn't see it myself, from what a friend was saying (and from the reports) is that this was appearing (is still appearing I think) on the trains themselves. They have LED signs just above the doors to either end of the train car itself. Some have said it was on their buses too, but I've never seen such LED signs on them other than the destination signs outside the bus, and they don't update/change the same way the ones on the trains do.

May 3, 2006, 05:22 PM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 89	Hacked subway LEDs mock Canada's prime minister Source: News.com __________ A mocking announcement about Canada's prime minister, Stephen Harper, was flashed on electronic advertising signs on Toronto area commuter trains for several days, and technicians were still scrambling on Tuesday to get the signs fixed. "Stephen Harper Eats Babies. Stephen Harper Eats Babies. Stephen Harper Eats Babies," started to appear every three seconds across some LED screens late last week. The signs usually carry transit updates and advertising spots. "It appears that this was a case of electronic vandalism," said Stephanie Sorensen, corporate communications and media specialist for the GO Transit commuter system. "We assume it was a hacker. We haven't identified the person who did this but we're working closely with the contractor who runs the signs to fix the problem."

May 3, 2006, 08:53 PM	#4
Zelig HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 3,187 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	Hahah, that's impressive. __________________ --

May 4, 2006, 12:29 AM	#5
BiGBrOwNPimpsta HH's #1 Hustla and Pimp Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: The Dirty Dot Posts: 7,717 Rep Power: 107 System Specs	i never saw it anywhere though. im on the TTC often just not on weekends __________________ Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Music \| Logitech Z-5500 THX 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers \| 2 Lite-On 20x S-ATA Burners \| Logitech G700 Mouse \| Logitech MX5500 Bluetooth Keyboard

May 3, 2006, 08:02 PM	#3
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	bah...no pictures!?!