Comments on: Polish teenager derails trams using TV remote

By: Cyborg legs monitor each other’s movements via Bluetooth

Cyborg legs monitor each other’s movements via Bluetooth — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 01:10:32 +0000

[...] have to wonder if the communication channel between legs is secured? I wouldn’t want some teenager reprogramming their TV remote to make me do an [...]

By: Chip

Chip — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:35:35 +0000

I didn’t say it was unhackable, just less hackable. I agree with you that it makes a tempting prize for someone looking for cracker cred.

By: krillz

krillz — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:19:10 +0000

“Admittedly, the computer networks aboard the Boeing 787 are probably much less hackable than the aging chewing-gum-and-baling-wire infrared tram controls”

As soon as you say something is less hackable or forbid you say un-hackable you just told a big fat lie you would wish you never said (at least if you were the dude in charge of such a system). I don’t know about other people but when I hear that something cannot be done or is very difficult to accomplish it works as a catalyst for me, making me want to accomplish it even more.

Not to mention all of people who would want to pull it off to get famous and be the first person who managed to do it.

If I were Boeing I would add the required extra layers of security, hire a bunch of electronics wizards and let them have a go at it for 2 months. If they can’t beat it in that time I’m quite sure no one will for a long time. As no one has the money to fly that thing that many times that it equals 2 moths fly time to gather info and actually start cracking the system.

By: Kiltak

Kiltak — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 01:27:08 +0000

It depends on the model and brand.. Logitech has a technology named “SecureConnect” on some of their wireless mouse / Keyboard combo..

From logitech’s website:

“With Logitech´s new SecureConnect™ technology, the cordless keyboard, mouse, and Bluetooth 2.0 EDR micro-receiver are all pre-synchronized and pre-paired during manufacturing. They´re ready to go, right out of the box, with a secure link and without the hassle of a manual connection process. With SecureConnect technology, encryption is also completely pre-configured — it is no longer necessary to enter a passkey to connect the components of the Bluetooth desktop. People simply plug in the Bluetooth micro-receiver and begin working.”

But that’s for a Bluetooth signal.. The same principle could be applied to an IR one..

By: Chip

Chip — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 23:03:23 +0000

This one offers two channels to “avoid conflicts”:
http://www.myshopping.com.au/PR–114698_Laser_Wirelessmax_10_Button_Cordless_MOUSE_WM10

By: Chip

Chip — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 23:02:18 +0000

Apparently not: http://reviews.pricegrabber.com/keyboards/m/11821323/discussions/thread/342732/

By: PatB

PatB — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 22:37:58 +0000

In that IR signals are like any other signals, authentication can be easily added. It could request the code from a smart card for instance, before granting access to the function of say, a track switch.

Don’t IR mouses have to be tied or authenticated to a system to prevent interference from other IR mouses?

By: Chip

Chip — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 22:28:56 +0000

Yes, twelve were injured.

I wasn’t aware that strong authentication was available for IR signals.

By: PatB

PatB — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 22:15:57 +0000

Chip, weren’t there multiple injuries caused by this penetration of the tram system?

Also, its not that they were using IR that was so bad, but they also apparently neglected to enforce strong authentication on the signals.