November 1, 2023 at 08:40AM
In 1987, a cyberattack occurred in Chicago where TV screens went black and a person in a Max Headroom mask appeared. Bugcrowd’s Unsolved Cyber Mysteries explains how this attack was carried out using basic techniques rather than advanced technology. It serves as an example of how hacking has evolved over time.
Summary: The meeting notes describe a cyberattack that took place in 1987 on two Chicago TV networks. During the attack, the TV screens went black, and a person in a Max Headroom mask appeared on the screen. The attacker was able to override the broadcast signal by pointing a transmitter at the transponders used by the stations and using a higher power. The attack lasted for a few seconds during the 9 o’clock news and for about 1 minute and 22 seconds during an episode of Dr. Who. The attack was carried out using analog and old school techniques over the airwaves, making it different from modern cyberattacks carried out by cybercriminal groups. The attack was considered a small, personal prank with no significant harm done.