Two charged with hacking LA traffic lights

**Jordanv78** · **Two charged with hacking LA traffic lights -** 01-17-2007, 09:16 PM

I thought that this story was interesting. I wonder what exactly they were trying to accomplish. Whats even more weird is that they are older people...

Quote:

Traffic Surveillance Center engineers hacked control computers and disrupted the traffic control system for four days

By Robert McMillan, IDG News Service
January 10, 2007

Quote:

Two men have been charged with illegal computer access after they allegedly hacked in to the Los Angeles city traffic center to turn off traffic lights at four intersections last August.
The two men, both engineers with the city's Automated Traffic Surveillance Center, accessed city computers on the morning of Aug. 21 and were able to turn off signal control boxes just hours before a job action by city engineers, the LA district attorney said in a statement released late last week.

The accused were able to bar other city employees from accessing the computer system to put the lights back online. No accidents were reported, but it took four days to fix the city's traffic control system, the statement said.
Gabriel Murillo, 37, and Kartik Patel, 34, are both charged with unauthorized access of a computer. Murillo is also charged with identity theft, and Patel faces four counts of disruption or denial of computer services.

**Pamela** · 01-17-2007, 09:45 PM

You realize , of course , these losers could have caused deaths? Sounds to me like they are 30+ men with no sex life and spend their time on computers to get their jollies. That is just sad,as I am willing to bet they are virgins.

**Fuggle** · 01-17-2007, 10:08 PM

Haha that's hilarious, lol one's an indian.

**Tap** · 01-17-2007, 10:35 PM

someones seen "the italian job" one too many times.

**PoTatoes** · 01-17-2007, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pamela

You realize , of course , these losers could have caused deaths? Sounds to me like they are 30+ men with no sex life and spend their time on computers to get their jollies. That is just sad,as I am willing to bet they are virgins.

LMAO. That made my day, you can always count on Pam to make you laugh.

Seems like the two guys must have plotted something, did they say why they did it?

**Nex** · 01-17-2007, 11:00 PM

luckilly no one was hurt, was that there atemp on terroism on LA?
@ pam ROFL!

**Jordanv78** · 01-17-2007, 11:13 PM

It didn't say in the article why they did it. But they are staying silent so far. As the trial goes on Im sure you will find out the reason why they did it. But it seems possible that it could have been a terrorist attack.

**PoTatoes** · 01-18-2007, 12:08 AM

Were the engineers muslim by any chance?

**fleaflickerx** · 01-18-2007, 12:20 AM

^^ ROFL

but thats was kind of sad, keep post up shit with link, I want to use them for current events in government class ^^

**Fuggle** · 01-18-2007, 12:45 AM

His name was Patel, he was clearly Indian.

**Jordanv78** · 01-18-2007, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fleaflickerx

^^ ROFL

but thats was kind of sad, keep post up shit with link, I want to use them for current events in government class ^^

I will make sure to post the article along with the link. I cut and paste so people will actually read it in the forum and respond. Plus it is easier for those who have slow connection/Slow computer.

On another note it is possible that the guy was Pakistani, a lot of them are Muslim, and support "those" guys. But it is sort of a generalization on my part. The truth is they are probably just dumb-asses trying to impress their dork ass friends.

**{GoK}** · 01-18-2007, 03:35 PM

at least no one was killed :/ they can't be charged for murder.

**Jordanv78** · 01-18-2007, 03:39 PM

yeah they can be charged with federal crimes...and go to federal prison...Much better LOL

**Metalhead Steve** · 01-18-2007, 04:05 PM

Wow that was pretty 1337. They owned Los Angeles. :P