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The 5 Coolest Hacks Of 2012

Kelly Jackson Higgins

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Nothing was sacred -- the nation's airspace, home power meters, videoconferences, and, in an ironic twist, popular cybercrime tools

Kelly Jackson Higgins December 27, 2012

It's common knowledge nowadays that pretty much any device with a network interface -- or a USB port -- is hackable. As soon as a new technology or gadget arrives, some inquisitive security researcher starts to hammer away at it in a race to find flaws in it before the bad guys do. This year was no exception.

There are hacks, and then there are cool hacks. For the sixth year in a row, Dark Reading has selected the most creative, unique, and memorable hacks of the year that captured our attention and, in some cases, scared the heck out of us.

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They spoofed airplanes via weaknesses in a new FAA air traffic system, peered into the infrared port on a home smart meter, broke into a videoconference, and even turned the tables on the bad guys, poking holes in popular cybercrime tools and fooled and exposed fake antivirus scammers who unknowingly dialed the wrong number (a white hat hacker's).

So kick back with a cup of holiday cheer and join us for a nostalgic look back at some of the most extreme hacks of 2012.

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Kelly Jackson Higgins

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News Advanced Threats

The 5 Coolest Hacks Of 2012

Nothing was sacred -- the nation's airspace, home power meters, videoconferences, and, in an ironic twist, popular cybercrime tools

More Security Insights

White Papers

Reports

Webcasts

Related Reading

Dark Reading Discussions

Start the Discussion

Follow Dark Reading

Dark Reading Reports

Advanced Persistent Threats: The New Reality

Trends In Mobile Device Threats

Heading Off Advanced Social Engineering Attacks

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News Advanced Threats

The 5 Coolest Hacks Of 2012

Nothing was sacred -- the nation's airspace, home power meters, videoconferences, and, in an ironic twist, popular cybercrime tools

More Security Insights

White Papers

Reports

Webcasts

Related Reading

Dark Reading Discussions

Start the Discussion

Follow Dark Reading

Dark Reading Reports

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