Boeing Hacking Vulnerability Exposed: $100 Device Can Take Control of Flight Plan

Researchers at the University of California San Diego and Oberlin College have created a device that can hack into a Boeing 737's electronics bay for less than $100. The device, which connects to the plane's Wi-Fi, can interfere with communications between two main onboard computers, potentially allowing a hacker to redirect the flight or make takeoff unsafe.

The researchers demonstrated that it takes just 60 seconds to plug the coin-sized device into a maintenance port underneath the nose of the plane. The device is accessible from the ground and usually left unlocked.

Boeing has acknowledged the research, stating that its 'technical experts are confident that the layers of protection in place on the airplane provide sufficient mitigation to significantly limit the feasibility and risk of real-world attacks.'