Unauthorized alert sent to cell phones across Brazil

(cnn.com)

53 points by zdw2 hours ago

5 comments

Scoundreller40 minutes ago
Not “unauthorized”, but previous cellular alert false alarms:<a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/mistaken-pickering-ont-nuclear-alert-sparked-panic-emails-show/" rel="nofollow">https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/mistaken-pickering-on...</a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Hawaii_false_missile_alert" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Hawaii_false_missile_aler...</a>Ok, hackers got blamed for this one: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/apr/09/dallas-hackers-sirens-alarms-emergency-system" rel="nofollow">https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/apr/09/dallas-hacke...</a>
jpablo5 minutes ago
The power to send mass messages to a whole country is the worst thing google/apple have given to governments across the world.
- woodruffw3 minutes ago
 This implies that governments didn’t already have this ability, which appears to be largely untrue? To my understanding, many countries already had emergency messaging systems, and mobile integrations are just a way of modernizing them.(It seems exceedingly good that the government can warn every civilian about natural disasters, etc.)
throwaway8152321 minutes ago
There was a Larry Niven story where if you tried to call a certain guy, every phone in South America would ring instead. Anyone remember which story it was? The phone thing was just a throwaway line, not a significant plot point.
- p0w3n3d16 minutes ago
 It might have been the Ringworld"Well?"Nessus began to pace the floor. "Many disqualify themselves by obvious bad luck. Of the rest, none seem to be available. When we call, they are out. When we call back, the phone computer gives us a bad connection. When we ask for any member of the Brandt family, every phone in South America rings. There have been complaints. It is very frustrating."<a href="https://www.naneahoffman.com/the-blog/shelf-care-alien-architecture" rel="nofollow">https://www.naneahoffman.com/the-blog/shelf-care-alien-archi...</a>
- shagie17 minutes ago
 Ringworld. <a href="https://sciencemeetsfiction.com/2021/06/20/ringworld-theory-did-teela-brown-have-bad-luck/" rel="nofollow">https://sciencemeetsfiction.com/2021/06/20/ringworld-theory-...</a><pre><code> “When we call, they are out. When we call back, the phone computer gives us a bad connection. When we ask for any member of the Brandt family, every phone in South America rings.”</code></pre>
p0w3n3d15 minutes ago
TBH phones in Poland allow to call you "from" an arbitrary number (i.e. display it on your phone). Also send SMS with arbitrary source.This is being used by scammers who call you and tell they are from police bank etc
- lxgr11 minutes ago
 This works in many countries, since the signalling protocols historically assumed a trusted small set of participants, not unlike email – with similar consequences once those assumptions became less and less true.
mseepgood1 hour ago
Of all the messages they could have sent they chose the most boring.
- neko_ranger53 minutes ago
 lets play a game HN, what would be the best alert to send?mine would be something scifi, like "ALIENS HAVE LANDED" or "PLUTO DECLARES WAR"
 - tetha22 minutes ago
 The world needs more confusing positivity."You are beautiful and wonderful - keep going! (unlike this systems security)"
 - dgellow18 minutes ago
 WHOSYOURDADDY[0]0: <a href="https://classic.battle.net/war3/cheatcodes.shtml" rel="nofollow">https://classic.battle.net/war3/cheatcodes.shtml</a>
 - michaeljx37 minutes ago
 METEOR STRIKE IN 8 MINUTES
 - Z0rp33 minutes ago
 DONT BELIEVE THEM
 - worble27 minutes ago
 Any of the Sims 1 prank phone calls would be amazing
 - shagie14 minutes ago
 I got a new job! from seank
 - lysace17 minutes ago
 Most dangerous one:"This is Army Commander Tomás Miguel Ribeiro Paiva. We have chosen to take command of the country to protect you against serious crimes against the people that we have become aware of. Remain calm and continue with your daily duties."(Except in Brazilian Portuguese.)
 - marcosdumay2 minutes ago
 Scary stuff.I guess so scary that there isn't a single person willing to try it. But yeah, that is the most dangerous one possible.
 - tedk-4219 minutes ago
 ARGENTINA IS BETTER THAN BRAZIL
 - auggierose21 minutes ago
 The truth is out there!
 - cURLSagan20 minutes ago
 THE DISPLAY IS A LIE
 - harrisoned13 minutes ago
 "PIX will be discontinued today"
 - Kyselica25 minutes ago
 “BRAZIL ELIMINATED FROM WORLD CUP”
 - mckirk37 minutes ago
 "THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO CAUSE FOR ALARM"
 - peddling-brink17 minutes ago
 “DO NOT LOOK AT THE MOON”
 - themafia28 minutes ago
 "ALL DEBTS HAVE BEEN ERASED. JUBILEE."
- AlienRobot20 minutes ago
 At least it wasn't a crypto scam.