A silly Burger King prank (teens hack into BK drive-thru speaker)

[LTR]

I just thought this was kinda funny. Illegal as hell, but humorous.

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_853744.html?menu=news.latestheadlines

Burger King customers told: 'You are too fat to have a Whopper'

Police believe teenage pranksters are hacking into the wireless frequency of a US Burger King drive-through speaker to tell potential customers they are too fat for fast food.

Policeman Gerry Scherlink said the pranksters told one customer who had just placed an order: "You don't need a couple of Whoppers. You are too fat. Pull ahead."

The offenders are reportedly tapping into the wireless frequency at the restaurant in Troy, Michigan. Police believe the culprits are watching and broadcasting from close range.

Officer Scherlinck said the men are telling customers who order a Coca-Cola that, "We don't have Coke." And when the customer asks what they do have, the hacker would say: "We don't have anything. Pull ahead."

(snip)

Management at the fast-food restaurant are reportedly trying to change the radio frequency used for the speakers, reports Local 4.

[name not needed]

1. wish i had thought of that

[phaseolus]

2. I actually had thought of that...

...but had better things to do with my time and money.

Changing the frequencies probably won't do a damn bit of good -- if the evildoers know how to take over the drive-thru, they certainly know how to re-tune a transmitter and reciever....

[ldoolin]

3. drive-thru speakers...

...usually transmit on standard VHF frequencies so you can pick up any nearby ones on a standard police scanner.

If ya have a transmitter... :) :bounce: :toast:

[TankLV]

4. Shame on you! You just made me spit my coffee all over my laptop for the

1st time ever!

Does anyone know if I should turn it off to let it dry or is it somehow damaged (seem to be typing fine for now!)?

Gotta be the funiest thing I've read in awhile!

[sendero]

5. Actually...

... pretty easy to do with off-the-shelf equipment. Most hams (Amateur Radio enthusiasts) could figure it out in minutes.

Yes, I am a ham. I wish to keep my license, so I operate legally :) But I hafta admit, the prank-humor possibilities are damn near endless - especially after midnight!

[SpiralHawk]

6. The pranks of yesteryear

One time long ago when Olde Spiral Hawk was just a wise-ass fledgling, he was part of a diabolical prank in the village center of a quiet New Hampshire town.

It wasn't my idea, and I didn't have much to do with it. But it was cool.

The local church steeple in the town center had recorded chimes that broadcast bell tones at Noon and 6 pm. Back in those days, it was a simple cassette recording.

We got into the church late one night and switched the tape to a James Brown all-star collection -- Poppa's Got A Brand New Bag; I Feel Good -- and all the rest.

What a hoot. I think people in town knew who did it, since the guilty parties were all lurking nearby, doubled up in hilarity.

A hoot and a half.

[durutti]

7. What I did...

In high school, my friends and I always used to go through the drive-through and request items that the place didn't sell (like a Whopper at Taco Bell or Chinese food at McDonald's).