UK Train Wi-Fi Hack Spreads Terror Messages
In the United Kingdom, passengers at 19 railway stations encountered messages about terrorist attacks when connecting to public Wi-Fi. The hacking incident is linked to an internal account of the internet provider.
The messages appeared on users’ device screens when they connected to the Wi-Fi network managed by Network Rail. The service is supported by contractor Telent, while the internet is provided by Global Reach Technology.
Telent stated that the incident was an act of cyber vandalism, occurring within the Global Reach network. The situation was not caused by network security issues or a technical failure. Telent is currently collaborating with Network Rail, Global Reach, and the transport police to resolve the problem and aims to restore Wi-Fi by the end of the week.
One user, after connecting to Wi-Fi at one of the stations, saw messages on their screen detailing terrorist attacks in the UK and Europe, accompanied by images from news reports. “The screen lit up with bizarre security alerts and dodgy pop-ups,” they said. “I started to panic slightly—what if this was a sign of something more sinister?”
A representative of Network Rail confirmed the cyber incident and mentioned that the attack may have affected other organizations, not just railway stations. Wi-Fi services have been suspended during the investigation.
The British Transport Police detained an employee of Global Reach Technology, suspected of involvement in the attack. The arrested individual is accused of “misusing access” to Wi-Fi services at certain stations. Information regarding the suspect’s identity has not been disclosed.
Telent reported that the breach occurred due to unauthorized changes to the landing page through an administrator account. The British Transport Police emphasized that passengers’ personal data was likely not compromised.
In September, UK intelligence services arrested a 17-year-old teenager in connection with a cyberattack on Transport for London’s (TfL) system, which took place on September 1. The arrest occurred in Walsall on September 5, as part of an investigation into an incident that posed a threat to London’s transport infrastructure.
