Zombie Hack Seized Five Stations

On February 11, 2013, hackers seized Emergency Alert System equipment at KRTV, WKBT-DT, WBUP, WNMU, and KENW across Montana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and New Mexico. During ordinary programs, viewers heard: "Civil authorities in your area have reported that the bodies of the dead are rising from their graves and attacking the living." Engineers concluded that the attackers likely entered the equipment through factory-default passwords published in user manuals. The FCC and FEMA urged broadcasters to strengthen their security, but authorities never identified or caught the hijackers.

Previous Fact Next Fact