As Wi-Fi networks become a more common part of our flying experience, many people are beginning to worry about the network being used for nefarious purposes.
The TSA and FBI have both expressed their worries about the use of the network for accessing and stealing personal data from customers. However, there just might be a bigger threat: using the network to hack into a plane and take control of the aircraft.
"The FBI and TSA note that they currently have no information to support claims that an attacker could commandeer a plane's navigation system through the passenger Wi-Fi or IFE (In Flight Entertainment) networks, but they are taking the claims seriously. They are currently evaluating the evidence to determine if there is a credible threat posed by intrusions into the networks of passenger planes," Wired reported.
The FBI's notice, which was posted on Infragard.org, recommends that airlines do the following:
- Report any suspicious activity involving travelers connecting unknown cables or wires to the IFE system or unusual parts of the airplane seat.
- Report any evidence of suspicious behavior following a flight, such as
IFE systems that show evidence of tampering or the forced removal of
covers to network connection ports. - Report any evidence of suspicious behavior concerning aviation wireless signals, including social media messages with threatening references to Onboard Network Systems, ADS-B, ACARS, and Air Traffic Control networks.
- Review network logs from aircraft to ensure any suspicious activity, such as network scanning or intrusion attempts, is captured for further analysis.
This warning comes after a security researcher tweeted during a flight last week about whether he could hack his plane's Wi-Fi network to make the oxygen masks fall from the ceiling. This researcher told Wired that while he did not actually access the oxygen masks on his plane, he has accessed the plane's Internet system to try and find vulnerabilities.
