Red-yellow-green alert!
Bonn, December 14, 2022
Anonymous IT experts showed the broadcasters BR, NDR and the computer magazine c't how easy it is to manipulate traffic lights, for example to activate a green wave or extend red signals.
According to the BR24 report, even the experts in their field test were not able to switch all traffic lights at an intersection to green or red at the same time. But by artificially lengthening traffic light phases, it is possible to create traffic jams or cause chaos.
For the manipulation, the experts used the analog radio signal that is used by buses or trams, for example, to get through traffic faster. The signal is not encrypted. "Anyone who understands something about radio technology can control these traffic lights," BR24 quotes the IT experts as saying. If the municipalities were to switch to digital radio technology, they could close this weak point.
BR24 to the traffic light hack: https://www.br.de/nachrichten/deutschland-welt/viele-ampeln-anfaellig-fuer-manipulation,TPFmZmo
Red-yellow-green alert!
Bonn, December 14, 2022
Anonymous IT experts showed the broadcasters BR, NDR and the computer magazine c't how easy it is to manipulate traffic lights, for example to activate a green wave or extend red signals.
According to the BR24 report, even the experts in their field test were not able to switch all traffic lights at an intersection to green or red at the same time. But by artificially lengthening traffic light phases, it is possible to create traffic jams or cause chaos.
For the manipulation, the experts used the analog radio signal that is used by buses or trams, for example, to get through traffic faster. The signal is not encrypted. "Anyone who understands something about radio technology can control these traffic lights," BR24 quotes the IT experts as saying. If the municipalities were to switch to digital radio technology, they could close this weak point.
BR24 to the traffic light hack: https://www.br.de/nachrichten/deutschland-welt/viele-ampeln-anfaellig-fuer-manipulation,TPFmZmo
