Hacking traffic lights given as example of possible G20 cyberattacks
G20 is an “irresistible target for hackers,” according to Greg Rudd, spokesman for the Council of Registered Ethical Security Testers, or CREST Australia. Hackers "would love to just get into the traffic light system for example and just disrupt that and what they're after really is free international media,” Rudd told ABC.
Historically attackers do target the G20 Summit, but none have ever taken over traffic light systems. Even though it’s supposedly “easy” to hack traffic lights with a laptop, it’s a safe bet that if attackers ever take control of traffic light systems anywhere in the world, at any time, it will gain international media attention.
Rudd gave three broad categories of group who can launch massive “cyberattacks on G20: state-sanctioned hackers, commercial spies and activist organizations such as Anonymous.” But with China and Russia as the most obvious suspects, Rudd said, “A lot of hackers all over the world have gone out of their way and developed it into a bit of an art form to lay the blame at China and Russia's feet for all sorts of hacks."
