Originally Posted by
rickair7777
I've flown two planes where the ACARS is integrated with the FMS, at least the control head.
Unfortunately I see where you're headed with this. If there's a physical path for the electrons, a good enough software person can probably find a way in. Direct remote control would be unlikely, insertion of a malignant subroutine more feasible.
But that would require very specialized knowledge of the exact gear involved...I doubt the bad guys have anybody with that experience. The vast majority of black hat hackers would draw the line at helping some shadowy entity hack an airliner's control system. They're crooks but not typically mass murders, and they know the inevitable response to that ping will be delivered not virtually but in person...they don't want a leading role in the next navy SEAL movie.
[Hi all, Network Engineer by career] Regarding a software hack:
I've worked on software for private jets, etc, and the only access points are direct (what we call) "thin net" direct connections.
The idea I've been reading that any passenger can access these, without having breached the cockpit, is absurd. Built-in plane security aside, even a compromise of a floor panel in the passenger area would require complete severing of wires - not to mention the obvious labor to even access the panel in the first place, and the tools to reassemble connectivity between the attacker and the jet.
This is paranoia, and should be put to rest.