DIY flying robo hacker intends wireless networks

Modify an online-control toy helicopter (above) to transport a radio-network-hunting computer (below), plus you've got a menacing hacker drone.

(Credit: Top: Parrot SA. Bottom: Stevens Institute of Technology)

Having a title like SkyNET, it's to become frightening. This flying robo-hacker warrants its "Terminator"-inspired moniker: Even though it stops lacking really hunting humans, it is a potential nightmare for anybody having a wireless home network. Worse, it is a DIYer's dream: cheap and simple to construct and fun to use.

SkyNET combines a toy helicopter along with a computer set up to fight Wi-Fi systems. It makes sense a drone the CIA would are proud of. The nasty little device can compromise computer systems on wireless systems and dragoon them into botnets. Botnets are broadly employed for hacking, denial-of-service attacks, and bombarding.

The devious great thing about SkyNET is the fact that by manipulating the botnet from the drone instead of a web connection, the botmaster is harder to find. To trap the theif you'd have to determine that the drone is involved, place the drone, and abide by it to its owner (presuming the black hat would go to get it). Either that or catch it and perform a full-blown forensic analysis to determine who managed to get.

The prototype SkyNET drone is really a Parrot AR.Drone quadrocopter modded having a lightweight Linux computer, 3rd generation special broadband connection, Gps navigation receiver, and two Wi-Fi cards--one for manipulating the drone and something for attacking wireless systems. The entire factor could be designed for under $600. The helicopter applies to $300 on Amazon . com.

SkyNET was created by scientists at Stevens Institute of Technology (don't researchers watch movies online Don't you think know right now their masterpieces inevitably switch on them and threaten humanity ). They are scheming to make the machine less costly, based on computer science professor Sven Dietrich.

Fortunately, they recommend protection from the attack, many of which involve shoring up wireless home systems by discovering new connections. No, setting your password in your router isn't enough.

Incidentally, best of luck staying away from a long trip to a federal prison if you are using SkyNET near a government facility, military base, airport terminal, energy plant, chemical factory, railyard, port...

(Via Technology Review)

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