How To Hack An Electronic Road SignS

DO NOT under any circumstances run around hacking into electronic road signs using the information contained in this step-by-step guide of how to transmit hilarious messages to passing motorists.

UPDATE: Here's a gallery of the carnage caused since posting the following "How To":

How many times have you driven by an electronic road sign like one of these?

This is the ADDCO portable sign. Today, you see what is on the inside, and how they are programmed to display important information.

*** WARNING YOU SHOULD NEVER TAMPER WITH THESE SIGNS ***

  • 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!

Head over to i-Hacked for the illustrated version of these instructions and by no means should you use it to remind motorists how "O'DOYLE RULZ" or how the "THE BRITISH ARE COMING" and DEFINITELY don't write "JALOPNIK IS BEST!"

UPDATE: Also by no means should you use these directions to write "Jalopnik Rules!"
UPDATE #2: Oops, too late!