IP: more on UK satellite

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 12:50:55 -0500 (EST)
From: David L Rosensweig <dlrosens () sas upenn edu>
To: farber () cis upenn edu
Subject: Re: IP: UK satellite

Prof.  Farber -

A follow-up to the UK satellite, from the BBC:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_288000/288965.stm


>              Satellite hijack 'impossible' 
>
>              The latest Skynet satellite blasted off on Saturday 
>
>              A senior defence industry analyst is contesting
>              computer hackers' claims to have altered the course of
>              one of the UK's military communications satellites. 
>
>              Scotland Yard's Fraud Squad is investigating allegations
>              of blackmail at several international locations after the
>              hackers reportedly demanded a ransom payment to stop
>              interfering with a Skynet satellite. 
>
>              However, Paul Beaver, group spokesman for the Jane's
>              Information Group, told BBC News Online: "I cannot see
>              how it is possible for someone to hack in - it is a closed
>              loop system, not connected to the Internet. 
>
>              "You cannot get in unless you get in the way of a
>              microwave signal or are at one of the Ministry of
>              Defence's (MOD) sending locations. The only way in
>              would be through the American system during a time of
>              war, but this is not a time of war. 
>
>
>                                  "Privately, the MOD are
>                                  saying this is where the
>                                  problem may be and are
>                                  investigating whether there is
>                                  an American leak. The UK
>                                  system is much better as it
>                                  is absolutely stand alone." 
>
>                                  The MOD told BBC News
>                                  Online: "The story is
>                                  complete nonsense. All our
>                                  satellites are where they
>                                  should be and doing what
>                                  they should be doing. It's all
>              systems go." 
>
>              But a hacking expert, David Levy, says: "They would say
>              that, wouldn't they? To say you can't do something is
>              ridiculous. 
>
>              "When people say something in software or hardware
>              can't be done, they are being unrealistic. What they
>              mean is they can see no way it can be done. 
>
>              "The RSA encryption algorithm was supposed to be
>              uncrackable until two guys in Cambridge University did
>              it. Nothing is impossible." 
>
>              Mr Levy runs Tiger Computer Security. The firm advises
>              companies on security by hacking into their systems
>              and then explaining how to close the loopholes they find.
>
>              Skynet is essential 
>
>              The fifth Skynet satellite was launched on Saturday from
>              French Guyana. The network provides support for
>              strategic and tactical nuclear forces and maritime, air
>              and land forces. The MOD describe Skynet as "essential
>              to support all aspects of modern military operations". 
>
>              They are controlled by microwave signal. Unlike radio
>              waves, which spread out in all directions, the
>              microwaves used have a "pencil" beam. This spreads by
>              only three centimetres for every 10,000km travelled. 
>
>              The location of the sending stations means that anyone
>              wishing to intercept and change the signals would have
>              to build a tower in south-west London. 
>
>              An alternative might be to send signals directly but Mr
>              Beaver says: "This would require a "very, very
>              high-powered transmitter and someone would have
>              detected that. You can't just move your satellite TV dish
>              around."