Hackers Seize UK Military Satellite - Report

February 28, 1999 6:42am
Reuters


LONDON (Reuters) - Hackers have seized control
of one of Britain's military communication satellites 
and issued blackmail threats, The Sunday Business 
newspaper reported. 

The paper, quoting security sources, said the 
intruders altered the course of one of Britain's 
four satellites which are used by defense planners 
and military forces around the world. 

The sources said the satellite's course was changed 
just over two weeks ago. The hackers then issued a 
blackmail threat, demanding money to stop interfering 
with the satellite. 

``This is a nightmare scenario,'' said one intelligence 
source. Military strategists said that if Britain were 
to come under nuclear attack, an aggressor would first 
interfere with military communications systems. 

``This is not just a case of computer nerds mucking about. 
This is very, very serious and the blackmail threat has made 
it even more serious,'' one security source said. 

Police said they would not comment as the investigation 
was at too sensitive a stage. The Ministry of Defense 
made no comment.