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Satellite Hijacking?
-- Ender Wiggin, Editor
Recently, the BBC of the United Kingdom reported that hackers had gained control of a British military Skynet 4 satellite, holding it for ransom. In close succession, Reteurs and other news organizations picked up the story -- soon it was on mediums as diverse as WCBS radio and C|Net. But was it true? The British MoD (Ministry of Defense) has denied the story, and the American DoD (Department of Defense) has issued a strict ‘no comment.'
Details in the story have been sketchy at best, with sources contradicting other sources and firm brick walls in other places. So what's the truth? What really happened? We'll probably never know. AntiOnline is reporting that it may be true -- citing these very reasons.
The UK military satellite in question controls the guidance systems of cruise missiles, among other vital military roles. According to the MoD, the satellite can only be accessed through a closed system -- the only open end being to the American DoD, which can access the satellite in wartime.
The satellite communicates with the ground through ‘pencil' high-powered microwave communications, requiring a large dish the size of about two suitcases.
So let's examine the various aspects of the story and let you determine probable truth yourself.
- MoD says satellite is ‘unhackable' and ‘totally secure'
We've heard this line before. Nothing is invincible.
- The satellite can only be accessed through a closed system
I thought the Americans could access it in wartime? The American DoD system may or may not be totally secure -- we don't know that. But, if hackers could get into the American system, then fool the British satellite system into thinking it was wartime, it could be possible.
- The MoD denies that it happened
Hello? The MoD would deny it for security reasons. They wouldn't want countries and terrorists to know they were blind, deaf and mute.
- The DoD has denied comment
Likewise. If the satellite really was hacked, the DoD would say ‘no comment' or ‘neither confirm nor deny.' If the satellite weren't hacked, they'd say the same thing. Why? What if it didn't happen and the DoD issued a strict denial... then, ten years later, it really did happen. If they said ‘no comment' or ‘neither confirm nor deny' it would be a given that it really happened. This way they can just keep their hands clean and not lie.
- The microwave transceiver would have to be huge -- and very expensive
Well, so what? You may possibly be able to modify a regular satellite dish for the purpose. If not, they'd have to have a foreign government's backing or a terrorist group's backing. According to our source on the subject, along with AntiOnline's source, a dish as small as a satellite TV receiver could be modified for the purpose -- such as a Dish Network or Primestar piece. The power could be boosted and modified well enough, without ruining the equipment. It's possible, but not entirely likely.
- Scotland Yard investigation is too large
When someone tries to defraud a government, or for that matter takes over a satellite, the reaction from the police, the intelligence community and the military is immense... irregardless.
- Encryption keys and electronic access
In order to communicate with the satellite, one would need the electronic ‘keys.' These keys would probably be breakable by the NSA or its British equivalent, but the odds of them doing it are negligible. Likewise, however, the DES algorithm was considered bulletproof -- and look at it.
- A readiness test or the like
What if the American government or even the Brits decided to test their satellite security? If they threw the right amount of resources and only notified key people, this could happen. Given the recent focus on ‘electronic warfare' by the brass in the various military organizations, this is entirely possible. Getting a group of so-called ethical hackers inside the NSA or former MI agencies to do this wouldn't be difficult at all -- and they'd keep their mouths shut.
- The process is too difficult
We should mention that AntiOnline got this list wrong. In order to perpetrate this hack the following would have to be done.
-- Break into a system linked to the satellite or transmit directly to the satellite
-- Successfully uplink to the satellite
-- Break the encryption keys and get the right password without alerting MoD monitors
-- Activate thrusters on the satellite to reposition its orbit
-- Change satellite password
- It would take dozens of "elite" hackers backed by tons of money
We just said it. It would take tons of experts backed by tons of money. It's possible that a bin Laden or a Microsoft could do this.
- AntiOnline reports that NASA pulled satellite movement data from public domain
According to AntiOnline, and confirmed by OSAll, NASA pulled all information about satellite 4D (the one in question) from the public domain for a period from February 19 to March 2. What does this mean? One of several things: it could be an attempt to keep the public from knowing about a change in the satellite position, or it could simply be a normal reaction to such a story by a government agency.
- Shift of .2 degrees in orbital pattern
The Skynet 4D is a geosynchronous satellite and any shifts in its position of more than a tiny fraction of a degree can be considered major and not just a simple, routine correction. According to data obtained by AntiOnline, the satellite moved .2 degrees recently.
It's possible that a group of hackers backed by some sort of huge multinational corporation or country could perpetrate such a hack. It's extraordinarily unlikely however. Extraordinarily. |
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