Hack an airplane? Researchers reveal new security concerns

Upcoming hacking conferences shine a light on the state of cybersecurity. Researchers will present hacking risks with USB drives and fitness trackers, and aircraft systems via in-flight Wi-Fi.

Bridget Carey Principal Video Producer

Bridget Carey is an award-winning reporter who helps you level-up your life -- while having a good time geeking out. Her exclusive CNET videos get you behind the scenes as she covers new trends, experiences and quirky gadgets. Her weekly video show, "One More Thing," explores what's new in the world of Apple and what's to come. She started as a reporter at The Miami Herald with syndicated newspaper columns for product reviews and social media advice. Now she's a mom who also stays on top of toy industry trends and robots. (Kids love robots.)

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Bridget Carey

Aug. 4, 2014 2:12 p.m. PT

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In this tech-news roundup, learn about a few of the latest cybersecurity concerns. Black Hat and Def Con, two of the largest hacking conferences, are about to kick off in Las Vegas. Security researchers will present data on new vulnerabilities, such as how a USB flash drive can be turned "bad" and pose as another device to infect a computer. Not only is this method undetectable by anti-virus software, but it's extremely hard to repair, according to SRLabs.

Fitness trackers are also under the security microscope. Symantic published a paper on how more needs to be done to protect the personal data being collected from fitness-tracking gadgets and smartphone apps.

But the hacking presentation that will get the most attention comes from cybersecurity researcher Ruben Santamarta. He reports there is a way to hack into an aircraft's communications system using the in-flight Wi-Fi and entertainment system. Let's hope this helps manufacturers quickly patch any potential problems.

CNET Update delivers the tech news you need in under three minutes. Watch Bridget Carey every afternoon for a breakdown of the big stories, hot devices, new apps, and what's ahead. Subscribe to the podcast via the links below.

Hack an airplane? Researchers reveal new security concerns

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