At 2:49 PM 3/3/96 -0500, Dr. Dimitri Vulis wrote:
As a side remark, every burglar alarm connected to a phone that I've ever seen has this feature: a code that one can type under duress that will both turn off the alarm and call for help. I wonder how many users will remember this code when under duress.
The air-transport system has had a Hijack transponder code for years. The pilot dials it into the air traffic system radar transponder when the plane is hijacked. However there is a problem.
One of the private pilot magazines reported that a small plane operator used the code (because his airplane was, in fact, being hijacked). When he landed the airplane, it was surrounded by LEA, and in the ensuing gun battle, everyone on the airplane died. The went on to say that the safety of the passengers and airplane are the pilot's primary responsibility and that pilots should consider this incident when deciding to use the code.
Sorry, but what's LEA stand for?
Duress codes need to be designed to minimized the chance of such responses when they are used.
Regards - Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bill Frantz | The CDA means | Periwinkle -- Computer Consulting (408)356-8506 | lost jobs and | 16345 Englewood Ave. frantz@netcom.com | dead teenagers | Los Gatos, CA 95032, USA
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