Satellite Communications Found Unencrypted: Researchers Intercept Military Data

Geostationary satellites broadcast unencrypted data, risking privacy breaches.

Geostationary satellites, used for transmitting internet and telephone data to remote areas beyond the reach of conventional cables, are broadcasting confidential information. With equipment costing $600, anyone can intercept it, according to researchers from the University of Maryland and the University of California.

A team of six reported that a “remarkably large volume of confidential traffic” is transmitted via satellite networks in an unencrypted form. This includes cellular communications, SMS, and data related to military systems and critical infrastructure.

For their study, the experts installed a standard consumer satellite dish on the roof of a university building in San Diego and monitored 39 satellites in geostationary orbit.

“There are thousands of geostationary satellite transponders worldwide. Data transmitted by one such device can be visible over an area covering up to 40% of the Earth’s surface,” the researchers claim.

How to Protect Yourself

Since it is impossible to know if providers encrypt the transmitted information, the researchers recommend taking precautions such as using VPN services to hide IP addresses and encrypt traffic.

For messaging and voice communication, applications with end-to-end encryption like Signal or Telegram should be used, as they automatically ensure user privacy. Satellite communication providers may also offer data protection as an additional service option.

“Encryption should be applied at every level—as a multi-layered defense against individual failures. Consider it a necessity, not an optional extra,” the researchers emphasized.

During their analysis, the experts reported the issue to several major providers, who took steps to address it.

“There is no single entity responsible for encrypting satellite communications in geostationary orbits. Each time we discovered confidential data in our traffic, significant effort was required to identify the responsible party, establish contact, and disclose the vulnerability,” the researchers noted.

Encryption is Costly

The researchers noted that encrypting satellite traffic is expensive. Not everyone can afford the necessary equipment and licensing fees.

Moreover, it can complicate network troubleshooting and reduce the reliability of emergency services.

“While the academic community and activists have achieved near-universal encryption in modern web browsers, satellite networks remain in the shadows—receiving far less attention and scrutiny,” the experts observed.

The study focused on geostationary satellites, which maintain a fixed position. Low-orbit systems like Elon Musk’s Starlink were not included in the analysis, as their study would require more complex equipment.

“As far as we know, these connections are encrypted, but we have not conducted an independent verification of this fact,” they added.

Identification via Wi-Fi

Meanwhile, researchers from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology discovered that a person can be identified by Wi-Fi signals—even without a phone or other devices.

Ordinary routers capture radio wave reflections from bodies and objects, creating a kind of “radio picture” of the space. Thus, any Wi-Fi network can become a potential surveillance tool.

The method uses open feedback signals that devices regularly send to the router. Based on this data and machine learning, a person can be recognized with nearly 100% accuracy—regardless of viewing angle or gait characteristics.

Researchers warn that the technology could threaten privacy and be used to monitor protesters in authoritarian countries. They urge the inclusion of personal data protection mechanisms in future Wi-Fi standards.

Back in October, Pavel Durov stated that we are approaching a “dark, dystopian world” where governments gradually deprive users of their right to privacy.

Нашли ошибку в тексте? Выделите ее и нажмите CTRL+ENTER