[Iran Press TV] A US government watchdog has warned that modern aircraft with internet accessibility could be remotely taken over and brought down by hackers using the plane's passenger Wi-Fi network.I'd have to see that one to believe it...
The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a new report on Tuesday that identified the danger of several emerging cyber security weaknesses that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must address as the air traffic control.
If the WiFi leg bone's connect to the aircraft's connection to the ATC system it's hideously poor design--the two should be firewalled off from each other.
"Modern aircraft are increasingly connected to the internet. This interconnectedness can potentially provide unauthorized remote access to aircraft avionics systems," the report said.
"Internet connectivity in the cabin should be considered a direct link between the aircraft and the outside world, which includes potential malicious actors," it added.
According to the report, it is theoretically possible for someone with just a laptop to hijack the aircraft, put a virus into flight control computer or even to take over the warning systems or navigation systems.
"We've had hackers get into the Pentagon, so getting into an airplane computer system I would think is probably quite easy at this point," said pilot John Barton.