For an important update to this story, click here.
Was a Louisiana station’s automation system hijacked?
The Louisiana Association of Broadcasters received a report that a local station had been “hijacked.” It was told by a local law enforcement official that hackers apparently had exploited an automation system vulnerability via Windows XP, which is no longer supported by Microsoft. The station involved reportedly was off the air for seven hours and received ransom notes.
LAB President Polly Johnson emphasizes that details have not been confirmed and that she would share them with Radio World when possible, but LAB wanted its sibling state associations to be aware. For example the Alabama Broadcasters Association posted about it.
Here is general info from Microsoft about Windows XP support.
