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How to Take Over a Train Station

ThinkComp writes "Everyone knows that home wireless networks are insecure, but who would expect a major transportation hub to be vulnerable to the same problems? Well, waiting for my friend's train at South Station in Boston, MA, I happened to notice that it was possible to take control of the entire station's wireless network, including its home page and authorization method (free wireless, anyone?)--and those of thirty other businesses throughout Massachusetts, thanks to a few coding errors on the part of the wireless company with which South Station contracted."

20 of 356 comments (clear)

  1. wireless is insecure? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    News at 11.

    1. Re:wireless is insecure? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Oh damn its 12 where I am... Did I miss anything?!

    2. Re:wireless is insecure? by sharkey · · Score: 4, Funny

      Man, we have GOT to do this! I can't wait to see how many tickets are sold to Pussyhump, RI or Shithouse Falls, SD.

      --

      --
      "Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
    3. Re:wireless is insecure? by cgenman · · Score: 3, Funny

      I happened to notice that it was possible to take control of the entire station's wireless network,

      That's great. Can you wait until after I get to work on Monday before you do this? Thanks.

  2. Decisions, decisions by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Should you not tell anyone and get free wireless for life, or just goatse everyone?

  3. They're coming by Jonathan+the+Nerd · · Score: 4, Funny

    Please remain where you are. The Department of Homeland Security has already pinpointed your location, and agents will be arriving shortly. Resistance is futile.

    --
    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are not necessarily my own, as I've not yet had my medication today.
  4. Illegal access by bloo9298 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Summary: here's documentation of my illegal access to a system, please prosecute me, thanks.

  5. hold that thought by silid · · Score: 5, Funny

    no more running for trains - use your ipaq as a remote control for your very own train set.
    and close the doors when you are all the way through

    next stop: home

  6. Re:who did you tell? by AndyL · · Score: 5, Funny

    I recomend telling Charlie. With internet access he could start a Dot Com and finaly earn that nickle he's been needing.

  7. obligatory reply by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    All your trains are belong to us!

  8. Why play with HO scale? by vudufixit · · Score: 5, Funny

    When you can play with the real thing?

  9. Ah, screw Charlie by Anomalous+Cowturd · · Score: 4, Funny

    He's doomed. If he or his wife can't figure out that she should bring him the nickel instead of a sandwich as the train goes by, he deserves to be stuck down there.

    Besides, the election's over anyway. I don't think Riley won.

    --

    Java: the bastard demon spawn of C++ and Ada

  10. Well? by NoseBag · · Score: 5, Funny

    Did you refund your friend's tickets?

    --
    Cloned foods give the statement "We had that last week!" a whole new meaning.
  11. DO GOOD! BE A ROBIN GOOD! by Palal · · Score: 2, Funny

    Using this, set their access to $-100 (Negative 100) per hour, so that you get money every hour instead of having to pay it. This will surely attract business to the station.

    --
    -Palal
  12. Re:all these wireless articles.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Sounds like a fun time. Pity I'm stuck wardriving in Redmond.

  13. Re:guestBox by jimmyharris · · Score: 2, Funny

    And if you go to the guestBox site you'll find you can login with username test and password test.

  14. No they aren't by JumperCable · · Score: 5, Funny

    Dear Department of Homeland Security,
    We have recently come to our attention that you are using methods of pinpointing locations of individuals that may infringe on our "Latitude/Longetude" techniques (Patent Pending).

    You are hereby ordered to cease & desist all location activity until you have properly licensed our intellectual property rights.

    Yours Truly, -Microsoft Legal Team

  15. Master Key to North Station in Boston by mrs+clear+plastic · · Score: 2, Funny

    When I was a kid, I was able to figure out the locks at North Station in Boston. For those of who who don't know, North Station is the other major train station in Boston.

    Back in the 60's, when the world was a little bit more innocent, I was able to fit a master key to all of the locks in North Station, which was also Boston Garden (the arena for the Boston Celtics and the Boston Bruins).

    I never used the key; in fact I threw it away once I made it. It was only a proof in concept.

    The only thins I make are my wearable art (http://www.allyn.com/ and http://www.clearplastic.com/)

    Locksmithing is no longer fun with all of the security paranoia. I buy my own locks to play with. The only fun thing I do in North Station anymore is to prance around in a leather juck strap and a clear plastic raincoat.

    --
    Cleara
  16. Obligatory train joke... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Three Microsoft engineers and three Apple employees are traveling by train to a computer conference. At the station, the three Microsoft engineers each buy tickets and watch as the three Apple employees buy only a single ticket.

    "How are three people going to travel on only one ticket?" asks a Microsoft engineer.

    "Watch and you'll see," answers the Apple employee. They all board the train. The Microsoft engineers take their respective seats, but all three Apple employees cram into a restroom and close the door behind them. Shortly after the train has departed, the conductor comes around collecting tickets. He knocks on the restroom door and says, "Ticket, please."

    The door opens just a crack and a single arm emerges with a ticket in hand. The conductor takes the ticket and moves on.

    The Microsoft engineers saw this and agreed it was quite a clever idea. So after the conference, the Microsoft engineers decide to do the same on the return trip and save some money.

    When they get to the station, they buy a single ticket for the return trip. To their astonishment, the Apple employees don't buy any ticket, at all.

    "How are you going to travel without a ticket?" asks one perplexed Microsoft engineer.

    "Watch and you'll see," answers an Apple employee.

    When they board the train the three Microsoft engineers cram into a restroom and the three Apple employees cram into another one nearby. The train departs.

    Shortly afterward, one of the Apple employees leaves his restroom and walks over to the restroom where the Microsoft engineers are hiding. He knocks on the door and says, "Ticket, please..."

  17. Re:Totally misleading article leadin. by Frank+T.+Lofaro+Jr. · · Score: 2, Funny

    The fact that he did this at a train station is totally irrelevant

    Well, it does make it easier for someone to leave the scene of the crime. :)

    I'm not violating a Patriot Act provision regarding giving assistance in committing crimes by suggesting people could use a TRAIN to leave the TRAIN STATION to avoid getting caught, right? ;)

    --
    Just because it CAN be done, doesn't mean it should!