Hi Guys,
Poland’s train network faced major disruptions recently, and the surprising part is that it was done using technology that’s over a century old. More than 20 trains were halted using a basic radio trick, something that even someone with just $30 worth of equipment could do.
Let’s backtrack for a moment. Since 2014, when tensions rose between Ukraine and Russia, Russian hackers have used some incredibly advanced techniques to meddle with Ukrainian systems. They’ve caused blackouts and even tampered with satellite communications. However, the recent halt of Poland’s railway system was done using a much simpler method: triggering the train’s emergency stop with a basic radio signal.
During two days, numerous Polish trains, both carrying goods and passengers, were stopped.
But here’s the most shocking part: the technique used wasn’t even a modern “cyberattack”. According to Lukasz Olejnik, a cybersecurity expert, the attackers simply used a well-known radio command that tells the trains to stop. This command is so simple and accessible that anyone with basic radio equipment, costing as little as $30, can do it. They just have to send a specific set of tones over a certain frequency.
Poland plans to update its railway system by 2025 to use more secure radio systems, but until then, this old technology remains vulnerable.
The only challenge for these attackers? They had to be relatively close to the trains they wanted to stop. They couldn’t do it from another country; they had to be on the ground, sometimes only a few miles or even feet away.
Thankfully, no one was hurt during these disruptions. It’s a relief to know that even though the trains were stopped, the passengers were safe.
While this might seem unrelated to our daily lives, it’s a stark reminder that sometimes, even with all our advanced security measures, simple methods can still create chaos. It’s an example of how sometimes older tech can exploit gaps in our modern systems. It may not directly affect you or me, but it’s an interesting piece of news to ponder on, showcasing the vulnerabilities in infrastructure we often take for granted.
All the best and wishing you a fantastic morning, day or evening depending on where you are in the world.
Thanks,
Max