December 12, 2024 - Someone in Seattle reprogrammed a roadside construction sign to read ONE LESS CEO - MANY MORE TO GO. [video]
How To Hack An Electronic Road Sign
How many times have you driven by an electronic road sign like one of these? This is the ADDCO portable sign. Today, you see what is on the inside, and how they are programmed to display important information. *** WARNING YOU SHOULD NEVER TAMPER WITH THESE SIGNS ***
- The access panel on the sign is generally protected by a small lock, but often are left unprotected. Upon opening the access panel you can see the display electronics. - The black control pad is attached by a curly cord, with a keyboard on the face. - Programming is as simple as scrolling down the menu selection to "Instant Text". Type whatever you want to display, Hit Enter to submit. You can now either throw it up on the sign by selecting "Run w/out save" or you can add more pages to it by selecting "Add page"
** HACKER TIPS ** Should it will ask you for a password. Try "DOTS", the default password. In all likelihood, the crew will not have changed it. However if they did, never fear. Hold "Control" and "Shift" and while holding, enter "DIPY". This will reset the sign and reset the password to "DOTS" in the process. You're in!
additional comment from a reddit thread:
I work on these from time to time. Other common passwords are the same as most things: 1234, 1111, 0000, etc. They are also often written down inside the service area for technicians. Most new ones also have a QR code that links to the user manual for an explanation on how to operate with the default passwords.
