Viasat modem hack shows vulnerability of ageing satellite technology

At their core, satellites are frequently based on open-source software. Many older satellites may have no means to update this software once in orbit, and so are unable to patch any vulnerabilities that may subsequently emerge. Most of us are all too conscious of what can happen if we do not enable operating system patches to our smart devices and laptops, and most satellites are similarly vulnerable.

A decade ago Brazilian satellite hackers broke into US Navy fleet communication satellites first launched in the 1970s, turning some of the capacity into a private radio network for just a few hundred dollars per handset. Because parts of Brazil are so remote and phone coverage may be sporadic, having your own private, high-quality communications network has proven a valuable asset for nefarious activities including illegal logging, drug dealing and other organised criminal gangs.

Source: Domain Hosting News (domainhostingnews.net)

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