For years now radio stations using the default Barix logins have been victims of audio feed hijackings. This afternoon Gow Media Sports “ESPN 97.5” KFNC Mont Belvieu/Houston TX fell victim.
During the station’s broadcast of the Philadelphia Eagles/Dallas Cowboys game, the hijacker began running a loop of fake EAS tones, a racist Country song, and a promo to follow them on social media. As of this report, all of the social media accounts mentioned have been deactivated.
Similar “hacks” have been taking place to stations using Barix Instreamer devices mostly with the default passwords for decades. In 2017, a few LPFMs were hijacked with a loop of YG & Nipsey Hussle “F*** Donald Trump”. This summer and Labor Day weekend, stations noted similar content being broadcast.
Many of the stations involved are being hacked due to their IP addresses being included on the Shodan database.
KFNC immediately commented, “In the past hour, there was audio airing on 97.5 FM signal that didn’t come from the radio station. Our signal had been hacked. We are actively trying to rectify the problem. We appreciate the many of you who posted to alert us of the issue.”
