Save over 40% when you secure your tickets today to TNW Conference 💥 Prices will increase on November 22 →

This article was published on October 19, 2011

11 Hilariously Hacked Road Signs


11 Hilariously Hacked Road Signs

This morning, in the town of Winnipeg, Canada, a road sign meant to caution drivers about deer was hacked and given a much more direct, and profane message. The flashing message, that once stated “Be Alert For Deer” was reprogrammed with the message: “Slow The F-Down.” (Image above.)

While tampering with road signs is a criminal offense, making us laugh is not, so I decided to dig up other road signs that have been smartly hacked for hilarity. First, I stumbled upon how the hacking happens.

In 2009, i-Hacked posted road sign hacking instructions for you little devils out there, along with a note: *** WARNING YOU SHOULD NEVER TAMPER WITH THESE SIGNS *** But when you see how easy the instructions are, you may be tempted.

  • The access panel on the sign is generally protected by a small lock, but often are left unprotected. Upon opening the access panel you can see the display electronics.
  • The black control pad is attached by a curly cord, with a keyboard on the face.
  • Programming is as simple as scrolling down the menu selection to “Instant Text”. Type whatever you want to display, Hit Enter to submit. You can now either throw it up on the sign by selecting “Run w/out save” or you can add more pages to it by selecting “Add page”

** HACKER TIPS ** Should it will ask you for a password. Try “DOTS”, the default password.

In all likelihood, the crew will not have changed it. However if they did, never fear. Hold “Control” and “Shift” and while holding, enter “DIPY”. This will reset the sign and reset the password to “DOTS” in the process. You’re in!

It seems that Zombies are still cooler than Vampires when it comes to Road Sign Hackers.

Gawker’s car blog Jalopnik picked up the instructions with the note: by no means should you use these directions to write “Jalopnik Rules!” Oops, too late!

The Urlesque blog posted 18 of the funniest hacked signs they found around the Internet. A few of my favorites from that list are below:

Double Sign hack! *Bonus points*

But sometimes the best hacked signs aren’t road signs at all.

Watch 5 Rubik’s Cubes solved in 44 seconds.

Get the TNW newsletter

Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.

Published
Back to top