Hackers took control of radio broadcasts in several parts of the United States and replaced regular programming with fake emergency alerts and obscene messages. Stations in Virginia and Texas reported sudden interruptions in which standard audio feeds were replaced by unauthorised content. According to public statements from affected broadcasters, the intrusions caused false alert tones and profanity to air without warning. The incidents prompted concerns about the security of broadcast equipment that relies on network connections.
The broadcasts were hijacked through remote access to network audio devices used by many radio stations. These devices transmit audio from studios to broadcast infrastructure. In several cases, the equipment was exposed to the public internet or left with unchanged default passwords, which allowed attackers to gain control. After gaining access, the attackers replaced the live audio feed with their own recordings. The hijacked broadcasts included the attention signal associated with the United States Emergency Alert System, followed by false messages and offensive audio.
Listeners reported abrupt changes during regular programming. One station in Houston acknowledged that it had lost control of its audio feed after receiving a wave of complaints. The station confirmed that the disruption came from an outside party and began working to restore service. Other affected broadcasters issued similar statements indicating that their systems had been compromised and that they were reviewing their equipment to determine how the intrusion occurred.
The Federal Communications Commission issued a public advisory urging broadcasters to secure their devices. The agency recommended changing all default passwords, restricting remote access, applying recent software updates and ensuring that equipment is not exposed directly to the public internet. The advisory stated that failure to follow these steps can leave broadcast systems vulnerable to unauthorised access.
The misuse of the attention signal raised concern because the sound is widely recognised as a component of legitimate emergency alerts. False use of the tone can lead to confusion or alarm among listeners who expect it to indicate severe weather or other urgent hazards. The intrusions demonstrate that broadcast infrastructure connected to networks can be targeted in ways that disrupt public communication systems.
The incidents also highlight broader risks as radio stations move from fully analog systems to ones that rely on internet-connected devices. Equipment that is not configured correctly or lacks strong access controls may provide an entry point for unauthorised manipulation. Stations that depend on remote management features face increased exposure if security settings are not properly maintained.