FCC says hackers hijack US radio gear to send fake alerts, obscenities


A man holds a laptop computer as cyber code is projected on him in this illustration picture created on May 13, 2017. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/Illustration

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Hackers are hijacking U.S. radio transmission equipment to broadcast bogus emergency messages and obscene language, the Federal Communications Commission said on Wednesday.

In a public notice, the FCC said a "recent string of cyber intrusions against various radio broadcasters" had occurred, resultingin the issuance of the U.S. Emergency Alert System's "Attention Signal." The signal is an attention-grabbing sound that is meant to precede official announcements related to tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes and other emergencies.

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