MasHD Blog

Next episode of "Mayday" might feature this app  The Hack in the Box security conference is taking place in Amsterdam this week, and one of the talks was fairly interesting. Hugo Teso, who is a security professional as well as a licensed pilot demonstrated how one could remotely hijack an airplane using nothing but an Android device as the tool. It turns out that two important aviation systems — the Automated Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) — are completely unencrypted and unauthenticated, allowing anyone with the right tools and a little know-how to access the system remotely without too much trouble. Teso simply hit up eBay for “actual flight code software” that’s normally used for training pilots, as well as nabbing a radio transmitter. During the demonstration, Teso audited real aircraft code by searching for vulnerabilities on a fleet of virtual aircrafts (using real airplanes in ...

A source of irritation for air travelers who like digital devices continues to be the fact that most airlines force you to turn your gadgets off at certain stages of flight. The FAA has been conducting a study looking at the possibility of expanding usage for electronics on commercial aircraft during flight. According to the New York Times, the study may result in a significant change to the rules aboard commercial aircraft by the end of 2013. The New York Times cites sources working with an industry group that the FAA set up last year to study the use of electronic devices on aircraft. This agency hopes to announce by the end of the year that rules for reading devices during takeoff and landing will be relaxed. However, the source is clearly saying that the change in rules would not include mobile phones. The New York Times says that a member of the working group and an official at the FAA both confirmed this plan, but wanted to remain anonymous because they aren’t allowed to sp...