The X10 jammer designed by researchers to hack home automation systems through power lines. Photo courtesy of David Kennedy and Rob Simon LAS VEGAS – Hacking the grid took on new meaning at the DefCon hacker conference on Friday when two independent security researchers demonstrated two tools they designed to hack home and business automation and security systems that operate though power lines. The automation systems let users control a multitude of devices, such as lights, electronic locks, heating and air conditioning systems, and security alarms and cameras. The systems operate on Ethernet networks that communicate over the existing power lines ...