A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) warns that in-flight W-Fi, including wireless entertainment and internet-based cockpit communications, may allow hackers to gain remote access to avionics systems and compromise them. However, other experts disagree and call the report “deceiving.”
via US Report Claims In-Flight Entertainment Leaves Planes Open to Cyberattacks; Others Disagree.
Closing Thoughts
● Nearly every protocol used in aviation is
unsecured
● There is certainly the potential to annoy
ATC and/or small aircraft
● Increasing automation while continuing
with unsecured protocols is problematic
● Airliners are relatively safe (for now)
The above pdf is a good read.