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Is Your GPS Naive?

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the what's-a-dikfor-anyway dept.

mi writes "Many GPS devices today will try to scan the FM bands for traffic advisories in the area to display on their screens. The signals, however, are neither authenticated nor encrypted, and one can — with commonly available electronics — construct a device to broadcast bogus advisories. Possible codes range from "bullfight ahead" to "terrorist attack"..."

7 of 291 comments (clear)

  1. An even better application: by Ph33r+th3+g(O)at · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "Speed trap ahead."

    --
    I too have felt the cold finger of injustice.
  2. Re:Now, why would there be... by HerrEkberg · · Score: 5, Funny

    That's the point of the "terrorist attack" code. Terrorists use it to create havoc, panic and destruction.

  3. encryption cant help.. by vasanth · · Score: 5, Insightful

    the writer seems to think encryption can solve this problem, encryption cant help here as the system is unable to communicate back to negotiate the setup, and if the signals are encrypted with a predetermined key it will be susceptible to replay attacks... how different is this to a common radio channel telling its listeners that there's been a terrorist attack etc? the issue seems to be more of a hype than a real concern...

  4. Social hack - use "bullfight" for "speed trap". by khasim · · Score: 5, Funny

    If there isn't one specifically for "speed trap", then re-purpose one of the lesser used code. I'd recommend "bullfight" just because there will be very few instances of its legitimate usage.

    1. Re:Social hack - use "bullfight" for "speed trap". by portforward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Or alternatively, you could just drive the speed limit.

    2. Re:Social hack - use "bullfight" for "speed trap". by icebrain · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I never said 100mph was safe or reasonable... but there are many, many places where the road can (and does, every day) handle traffic safely at 70-75 instead of the posted 55, or 45-50 instead of a posted 35 (excluding residential areas). Many of these restrictions are due to arbitrary laws that say, in essence, "speed limits must be X within Y miles of a city", with no regard to the actual road or what it could safely handle.

      Look up the video sometime of when a bunch of college students lined up across I-285 in Atlanta and did the posted speed limit (55). Traffic backed up for MILES behind them.

      A much bigger threat than pure speed is people who don't pay attention, and realize "Oh crap, that's my exit, four lanes away!" and proceed to cut across said four lanes. Or those who don't bother to check their blind spots when changing lanes, or don't realize that their lane is ending, or don't signal... or insist on driving slow in the left lanes.

      And again... if the purpose of limits really was to promote safety, cops wouldn't have to hide. And there would be no penalty for warning others of a speed trap, either. They don't arrest you for saying to someone, "don't rob a bank, the police will get you!" so why should saying "don't drive fast, you'll get a ticket" be any different? Oh, wait, then the local government won't get its traffic fine revenue... and God forbid that the residents pay for their government themselves...

      --
      The meek may inherit the earth, but the strong shall take the stars.
  5. Re:Now, why would there be... by UbuntuDupe · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yeah, good point. But WE are smarter than them. So ... hm, what to do. OH!!!! I know! If there's ever a terrorist attack, all of the news networks should just ignore it entirely! That way people will be in complete ignorance that it's happened. (I mean, except maybe for eyewitnesses calling friends and relatives, but that can easily be banned.)

    I mean, informing people about terrorist attacks is just playing into their hands.

    --
    Apology to Ubuntu forum.