Key Takeaways
- The FCC has issued a notice on cybersecurity, specifically citing the use of Barix AoIP devices, following recent cases of radio station audio hijackings in Texas and Virginia.
- Barix has warned its customers to reconsider their network security if they are operating devices with an accessible web-based interface directly on the internet without robust security measures.
- The company has emphasized the importance of proper security measures, such as password protection and secure setup, to prevent hijacking and unauthorized access.
- Barix has offered guidance and support to its customers, including a Reflector service, to help them secure their devices and prevent future incidents.
Introduction to the Issue
The recent cases of radio station audio hijackings in Texas and Virginia have highlighted the importance of robust network security in the broadcasting industry. Following an FCC notice on cybersecurity, Swiss-based manufacturer Barix has warned its customers to take immediate action to secure their devices. In an email sent to its customers, Barix emphasized that if they are operating devices with an accessible web-based interface directly on the internet without robust security measures, it’s time to reconsider. The company’s warning comes after two recent incidents in which radio stations were hijacked, resulting in the broadcast of racist and explicit content, as well as false EAS tones.
The FCC Notice and Barix Response
The FCC’s notice on cybersecurity specifically cited the use of Barix AoIP devices, which are commonly used by radio stations to deliver audio from their studio to transmitter sites over the internet. Barix has responded to the notice by crafting its own message to its customers, emphasizing the importance of proper security measures. The company has pointed out that while its devices are easy to set up and low-cost, they are vulnerable targets over the public internet and have never been designed as secure, turnkey devices. Barix has encouraged its customers to take steps to secure their devices, including using strong passwords and keeping their software up to date.
The Recent Incidents
The recent incidents of audio hijacking have highlighted the risks associated with using Barix devices without proper security measures. In one incident, a song with racist and explicit lyrics was broadcast on a radio station in Texas, while in another incident, false EAS tones were broadcast on a station in Virginia. The stations that were victimized used Barix AoIP devices to deliver their audio, and in both cases, the devices were found to have weak or no password protection. The FCC’s investigation into the incidents found that the root cause was the same in each case: the devices were exposed on the public internet with weak or no password protection.
The Importance of Security Measures
Barix has emphasized the importance of proper security measures to prevent hijacking and unauthorized access. The company has pointed out that its devices are designed to be easy to use and set up, but this ease of use can also make them vulnerable to attack. Barix has encouraged its customers to take steps to secure their devices, including using strong passwords, keeping their software up to date, and using secure protocols for remote access. The company has also offered guidance and support to its customers, including a Reflector service, which provides a secure tunnel for audio transmission.
Guidance and Support
Barix has invited its customers who are unsure about the security of their installation or need guidance on how to properly secure their devices to email their support address. The company has also encouraged its customers to check out its Reflector service, which provides a secure tunnel for audio transmission. The Reflector service is offered in conjunction with hosting provider Streamguys, and is designed to provide a secure and reliable way for radio stations to deliver their audio over the internet. By taking advantage of this service, radio stations can help to prevent hijacking and unauthorized access, and ensure that their audio is delivered securely and reliably.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the recent cases of radio station audio hijackings have highlighted the importance of robust network security in the broadcasting industry. Barix has warned its customers to take immediate action to secure their devices, and has offered guidance and support to help them do so. By taking steps to secure their devices and using secure protocols for remote access, radio stations can help to prevent hijacking and unauthorized access, and ensure that their audio is delivered securely and reliably. As the broadcasting industry continues to evolve and become more reliant on digital technologies, the importance of robust network security will only continue to grow.
