Hackers Seize UK Military Satellite

[jei@zor.hut.fi]

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/headlines/tc/story.html?s=v/nm/19990228/tc/hackers_1.html

Sunday February 28 6:41 AM ET 

Hackers Seize UK Military Satellite - Report

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.