At the famous hacker convention in Las Vegas, some of the computer security industry professionals there have created a UAV which can fly around and break into computer systems via their wireless connections. Is this a new scheme? Is this an innovative idea? I would submit to you that it's not a new original thought, as I had written an article about this a year or so ago on such a concept, and there are old tales of UFOs flying over missile silos containing ICBMs during the Cold War, and shutting down the entire system.
Yes I know, talking about UFOs, or unidentified flying objects, seems a little bizarre. But, whether or not those stories are true, hardly matters, because the stories go back to the 1970s and really this new hacking technique, which will probably be used by the US military is not a new thought, we can trace its origins back over four decades. Nevertheless, it is interesting new technology, and perhaps we should discuss this.
There was an interesting article in Physorg [dot] com recently on August 6, 2011 titled; "Hacker drone launches airborne cyber attacks," written by Glenn Chapman which stated;
"Computer security specialists built a small MAV drone aircraft that can launch airborne cyber attacks, hijacking mobile phone calls, or even delivering a dirty bomb. It is loaded with software to attack Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GSM cell networks. The MAV grabs packets of data sent on wireless networks or unsecured hot spots as gateways to get in to computer systems. It can get GMS mobile phone IDs used to bill outgoing calls. Hackers can impersonate cell phone towers and eavesdrop on people's calls."
Perhaps, this is a good reason for people to secure their Wi-Fi at home, or in their businesses, and not leave open networks, because hackers can break in. It's also a good reason for government computer systems, and large corporations to think twice about having any sort of wireless communication too accessible, or allowing too much information to flow through them, which is of high value, proprietary, secret, or involving financial transactions.
We've always known that someone can park a Van near a Wi-Fi connection, and attempt to break into the computer system. In Silicon Valley there were computer professionals which did this quite often to test the security of various corporations. Flying a small model airplane or micro air vehicle, or even a military UAV over a location to get into the system might indeed help the cyber warfare division of the US military. We can also expect that our enemies will try to do this to us too, and unfortunately we can also expect criminal hackers to try to break into our personal information in this way.
Indeed, just when you thought it was safe to use your mobile phone, Wi-Fi, or wireless network - someone has invented a new way to get in. Be careful out there folks, indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it when you are devising a strategy for Internet security and safe mobile phone transactions.
Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes writing 24,444 articles by September 4th at 4:44 PM will be difficult because all the letters on his keyboard are now worn off now..
