CMP Smart Meters Are a Target for Hackers

CMP, otherwise known as Central Maine Power, are installing smart meters all around New England. What's supposed to help CMP employees make their jobs easier and bring their customers into the 20^th century, might not be an admirable thing. Computer experts say the new smart meters will be more of a national threat to homeowners.

The new smart meters will generate a home's used energy by tapping into surrounding computers and their WI-fi signals. This generates enough power for CMP officials to be able to read the meters using a wireless gun. Once the smart meter generates a reading it will show up on the wireless gun. This will be a tremendous help to CMP employees. Instead of getting out of their vehicle to read each meter, the employee will be able to stay in the company car, making this a faster system.

Some people are skeptical. Gary Conover is one of those skeptical people. According to WGME news, Conover has worked on computer systems for 25 years and says that this new system of Central Maine Power is dangerous and poses a national threat. Conover told WGME news that “this set up makes you vulnerable to hackers, because they can steal your information, or monitor your usage or worse, knock out the whole computer grid.” Convover says the new smart system is set up to tap into each WI-fi signal for all surrounding computers, therefore, causing all computers to be easily accessed.

CMP has commented to Greg Conover's accusations. CMP has stated to WGME news that “Conover is mistaken and there is no validity to what he says.” The electric company has also stated that all smart meters is approved by the Department of Electricity and was the first in the nation to be approved.

Other people are worried about hackers monitoring the energy levels in a person's home. A few people are saying that if the energy levels are low it could cause more break-in's. Other people that are skeptic of smart meters are saying if your energy levels are high then you could be a target.

This has cost CMP around $180 million so far with the replacing old meters with the new smart meters. Conover has written a letter to both CMP and P.U.C. Hoping asking that a smart meter not be installed on his home and warning of the dangers it could bring.