Detection of a Satellite Hacker
V. 1.0 - 21.02.2003
V. 1.1 - 05.10.2004
V. 1.2 - 10.06.2008
V. 1.3 - 11.02.2009
V. 1.4 - 18.02.2009
Copyright (C) 02/2003 by Howard Fuhs
As long as a Hacker sticks to the passive reception of signals it is virtually impossible to detect him. Being passive means not to use the infrastructure or not to interfere with legitimate users. It’s like watching illegal tv or listening to the radio. Nobody will notice.
If a Hacker becomes involved into freeloading activities governmental authorites and satellite service providers can track him down. A prominent example happend in the USA in the 80’s as Captain Midnight interrupted the transmission of HBO (Home Box Office - american pay tv channel) for a short complaint about the pricing policy of HBO. He was caught and sentenced to jail because the authorities were able to track the pirate signal to the point of transmission. Nonetheless there are only a very few cases known, where a Satellite Hacker has been caught.
Regarding the low probability of being caught a relatively large scene has been established, which is using military an civil satellite systems for illegal communication purposes.
I invite your suggestions for revising this document. I plan to review and revise this document as the need arises.
Copyright (C) 02/2003 by Howard Fuhs
All Rights Reserved!