VietNamNet Bridge - Modern civil aircraft could be hijacked by hackers from the ground, according to experts. 

 

CNN cited a report from the GAO (US Government Accountability Office) as saying that anyone sitting on an airplane can use the wifi network in the passenger compartment to penetrate the computer system in the cockpit. 

In some cases, even hackers on the ground can also break into the system to hijack aircraft.

The wifi network on airplanes could be the gateway through which hackers intrude into operating systems.

Modern aircraft such as Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A350 and A380 all are equipped with a computing system in the cockpit which connects the wifi network for passenger use. This allows passengers access to the internet during flights.

In theory, when a network connection is on, passengers on airplanes or on the ground can access the aircraft operating system. This could be a threat to flight safety.

In principle, telecom companies all apply measures to prevent possible risks. Firewalls, for example, can be used to control connections among networks. 

However, according to Ngo Tuan Anh, deputy chair of BKAV, the Vietnamese leading internet security firm, firewalls, like other software products created by humans, may contain vulnerabilities, through which hackers can interfere with or hijack an aircraft.

Meanwhile, another security expert has reassured the public by saying that GAO is only giving warnings about what may happen, while, in fact, it is not easy to penetrate aircraft operation systems. 

“No attack through wireless networks has been reported so far. GAO just pointed out the latent risks with aircraft,” he said.

He said the warning was necessary, because any risk, even minor, needs to be known so that airlines and service providers can take preventive measures to ensure flight safety.

When asked why hackers can control more than one aircraft at the same time, he explained that once hackers attack one aircraft through the  wifi network, they will be able to do the same with one or many other aircraft of the same kind by using timer software.

Anh from BKAV noted that it was not difficult for hackers to write timer software, which allows them to create problems simultaneously.

However, the report from GAO pointed out that only some types of next-generation aircraft are facing risks, while older aircraft are safe from the risk. 

Despite the high risks, Anh believes that wifi services should still be provided to passengers.

VTC