Accidental Emergency Alert - WSOC-TV's statement on emergency alert that aired on WSOC-TV, TV64

a reply to: kosmicjack

Thanks for posting that...I couldn't find a screenshot at all.

Something interesting that I noted yesterday, I was driving soon after morning rush hour. Came to an intersection and noticed that I was behind several NC DPS cars, checked their website and they are the state version of FEMA. Just seems that there are a whole lot of coincidences these days.

Maybe somebody had a "premonition" about the school shootings in Washington State?

Or.....

How can radio impact anything on TV?

It can't.

That means the problem originated from a centralized point elsewhere and the explanation is a bunch of BS.

So is it the White House as the message actually says? Or was it hacked? Either one is problem IMHO. It's the freaking emergency alert system.

If it's the WH, why is the WH testing this or messing with this, current events? Why didn't TelCom companies know? Did the WH fail to communicate with them? Are there protocols for testing and/or notification?

If it's not the WH, why is the nationwide EAS system so at risk and unprotected?

Why hasn't anyone from the WH commented on this issue that has so many concerned?

This alert will only be issued if there is a real emergency that is threatening the entire country. For example: if North Korea decided to send missles at the west.

Emergency Action Notification

Why is Austin always on the Doom list nowadays? All we have here are hipsters running in flocks, food trucks, music and beer. In no way are we a threat to the world. Last year it was Kim in N. Korea threatening to nuke us, today the U.S. Federal Government? Guess I'll set my phone alert for that day and time with the message to "Duck and Cover", oh, and I'll throw my laptop (if it will fit) in the microwave.

STM

ETA: We also have Alex Jones and Rick Perry in Austin, does that make us a target?

I feel kinda out of touch now, after reading more I must admit, I did not know they could change the channel on your tv.

Sheesh..
I typed "protocol for eas united states..
First on the list was FCC tech topic 21.. it links straight to transition fcc.gov
I can't link..
Frankly it's so monotonous... can't understand.. maybe you would.
Transitions.fcc.gov/pshs/techtopics21.html

Good luck..

EAS has been hacked before:

www.darkreading.com...

The EAS itself is categorized as critical national infrastructure, yet it appears to still be largely vulnerable to attack even months after various security updates and alerts have been released. In a blog late last week (2013 article), the original discoverer of the vulnerabilities, IOActive's Davis, indicated that more of the system is vulnerable to attack than it was when he'd alerted the vendors back in January.

I've heard a few ill-informed rumblings that even if the EAS were hacked again, it would just be a nuisance. In the most trivial case, if the system were to be hacked again and the hackers were to issue repeated "zombie apocalypse" warnings, people would likely lose confidence and trust in the system -- meaning that in the time of a real emergency, people may not follow the real advice, and lives could be lost.

Alternatively, if I were employed by a foreign military organization, hacking the EAS would be fairly high up on my list of critical infrastructure assets to target. Not only could I usurp control of the system to release disinformation and sow confusion, I could probably do so without falling afoul of too many articles of war. In addition, with access to the system I could also deny broadcasts by the legitimate broadcasters -- either by continually broadcasting my own messages or by replacing SSH k

This morning, after the alert. It was about noon central, I was fishing Mobil bay and witnessed an aircraft resembling Air Force One. Complete with fighter escort on a north east heading at about 10,000. If you extend that heading it could be a return trip to the DC area.
During the 911 alert didn't the, then President Bush, head down to the gulf coast to hide out?
I don't believe in coincidence. What the heck is going on?

Does anyone else have an update on this? This is a little too close to home for me and I can't seem to find anything else about it.

originally posted by: babybunnies

originally posted by: RunForTheHills
a reply to: niobe

I heard on the radio news that ONLY the President or his appointee could send this alert out? I am not sure what to make of it either unless they are testing but why?

"I heard on radio news" is hardly a definitive fact. You probably heard it on "radio opinion show" not "radio news". Big difference.

Making this something only the President can do is asinine - what happens if there's a local alert and they can't reach the White House for whatever reason?

Um the President isn't always at the WH. He's actually mostly on a golf course somewhere, but he is also always reachable by satellite phone.

a reply to: Kangaruex4Ewe

I don't have an update...but I did notice the notes about FEMA first running this on Nov 9 in 2011. However...if the message does read that the 9th warning period is Sunday from this period to that...2011, the 9th fell on a Wednesday. Nov 9th this year DOES fall on a Sunday.

originally posted by: seentoomuch
Why is Austin always on the Doom list nowadays? All we have here are hipsters running in flocks, food trucks, music and beer. In no way are we a threat to the world, lol. Last year it was Kim in N. Korea threatening to nuke us, today the U.S. Federal Government? Guess I'll set my phone alert for that day and time with the message to "Duck and Cover", oh, and I'll throw my laptop (if it will fit) in the microwave.

STM

Don't mess with the Austin Film Society... and my beloved Rooster Teeth
Thanks for the idea... I set my alert too..

Is a bit funny that it was AT&T feed and Cox media (Think it is Cox and not Clear Channel) radio stations.

Spooky really.

Coincidence?

www.wivk.com...

Media related terror chatter.

I don't know if the EAS was hacked, a button was pushed in error (...or intentionally), or if someone was sending a message. But, I'm going to set a reminder on my phone as well...."Duck and Cover" works.

It will also be interesting to see what happens with the Ebola issue, ISIS, or the next headache du jour...between now and Nov 9.

originally posted by: kosmicjack
Coincidence?

www.wivk.com...

Media related terror chatter.

Yes a friend here at a local station tweeted this yesterday.
Not sure if there is a connection.

a reply to: kosmicjack

Whoa...that's interesting. ISIS doesn't want to be dropped down the list, we've been way too preoccupied with Ebola lately.

a reply to: kosmicjack

I'd say coincidence. Seems specific to kidnapping journalists.

They aren't going to have much credible threats to report on Isis, it will be the lack of chatter if anything that could indicate a possible attack. That is why Isis is recruiting from the domestic populations, anyone that fits their criteria, does not have to be Muslim, and most of the recruiters are themselves citizens. They know how to evade detection and surveillance. IF they are ever able to pull off an organized large scale attack, there will be NO warning.

imo

originally posted by: ausername
I feel kinda out of touch now, after reading more I must admit, I did not know they could change the channel on your tv.

They might be able to change your channel, but you could always turn it off!