"Zombies Ahead" Digital Graffiti Message Appears on Hacked Electronic Road Signs in Colorado

Hackers have been changing the messages on road signs for years. The messages are often playful, like the message "Zombies ahead" that has appeared in Boulder, Colorado on and off for the past eight years now.

Downtown Houston has recently been a victim of hacked construction signs. The hacker opted for crude humor, changing the message from "DETOUR" to "POOP" to ":) LOL." Can you imagine what hackers can do with this type of know-how even though it may have seemed like some type of humorous gesture?

Though hacking road signs might seem like a victimless crime, it is important to note that it is illegal. Depending on state laws and specific circumstances, hacking a road sign could be a felony. Not only would a hacker suffer the grave consequences if caught hacking a road sign but if they get away with it, they could do something much more serious.

Image source: James Kim Flickr

The increase in hacked signs is likely due to how easy the crime is to commit. A person can learn how to hack a road sign after a quick computer search on the subject. In no way am I promoting the idea to commit such a crime, just stating the obvious.

Many of these signs have unlocked control panels that are easy to access. The signs are password protected, but are often maintained by a default password. This makes hacking into the system all too easy.

Now, if you could only imagine what a hacker sitting behind a computer screen is capable of. Hackers all have some type of purpose for doing what they do. Whether it is hacking a street sign or spreading malicious parasites over the internet, the satisfaction of a "job done well" could be the ultimate driving force behind their actions. On the other hand, monetary gain could be the culprit. At any rate, let's all be mindful and vigilant when it comes to being confronted by the work of a hacker. Who knows, the next hack-job could end up being your banking account.