Just received this FCC notice through my SBE Chapter. it may apply to some of you as well:
"The Federal Communications Commission is requesting your assistance in disseminating the information below to your organization's members.It has come to our attention that unauthorized persons recently may have illegally gained access to certain audio streaming devices used by broadcasters, and may have transmitted potentially offensive or indecent material to the public. We believe that the reported cases involved unauthorized access to equipment manufactured by Barix, which some licensed broadcasters use for studio-to transmitter (STL), remote broadcast (remote) and similar audio connections. We understand that the unauthorized access to the devices may be due, in part, to instances where the licensee fails to set a password for devices with no default password, or to re-set default passwords on the Barix device.We urge licensees to take all available precautions to prevent future unauthorized transmissions. In many cases, there may be simple, practical solutions to prevent such situations from occurring. For example, we strongly encourage licensees that use Barix devices, as well as other transmitting equipment, to check and, if necessary, add a password, or reset existing passwords with new, robust passwords. Similarly, if a broadcast station experiences turnover in staff who had access to passwords, we encourage licensees to reset the password to ensure future security. We also recommend that broadcasters investigate whether additional data security measures, such as firewalls or VPNs configured to prevent remote management access from other than authorized devices, in some cases, could be implemented to preserve this potentially critical part of the broadcast transmission chain. If you suspect that broadcast equipment has been subject to attempts at unauthorized access, we also recommend that you contact the equipment manufacturer and/or a data security firm. We also suggest that you notify the FCC Operations Center at 202-418-1122 or FCCOPCenter@fcc.gov of suspected unlawful access.If you have any questions, please contact Lark Hadley, the regional director for the Enforcement Bureau's Region Three via WR-Response@fcc.gov.Thank you.Charles CooperFCC/Enforcement Bureau/Office of the Field Director/Field Director"
I myself do not use a Barix unit, but will be this spring as I add a second transmitter down the road. I can assure you I'll have security and complex passwords. Although, who is likely to hack a Part 15?
Interesting, however. At the full powers I work for, we just purchased a third station (so I'm now chief engineer for three full powers) and we feed the transmitter audio for the new station via Barix units. As did the previous owner. Now, I'm certainly no IT guy, and I don't know diddly about computer networking, but according to our IT guy, we now have our own T1 line that goes directly from our studio to the transmitter and it is not accessible via the internet at all, it's part of our own LAN and that's it. I don't understand it all, but that's what he tell me anyway.
But, be advised.
TIB