Iraqi insurgents using $26 software to monitor Predator video feeds

[Steve]

We can't say we've ever heard of a $26 Russian program called SkyGrabber before, but it's about to get famous real fast -- according to the Wall Street Journal, Iraqi insurgents have been regularly using the satellite-snooping software to monitor live Predator video feeds. Apparently the Predator transmits video over an unencrypted link, so there's no major hacking or security breach going on here, but it's obviously a huge issue -- and we'd say the bigger problem is that Pentagon officials have known about this flaw since the 1990s, but they didn't think insurgents would figure out how to exploit it. Way to underestimate, guys. The WSJ says the military is working to encrypt all Predator feeds from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, but it's slow going because the Predator network is more than a decade old and based on proprietary tech -- too bad it's not proprietary enough to keep prying eyes out of it.

What's even more hilarious is for $10 more bucks you can get the browser plug-in to target and fire it's weapons. Unfortunately you have to sign up for a WindowsLIVE ID account, which thankfully; no insurgent is willing to do. Hey, they may be insurgents, but they aren't stupid.

source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1261022478...wsj_gadgv1&

[atholon]

Saw it on CNN last night, but it being CNN, I wasn't completely convinced

Truely sad.

[Mstenger404]

[MERMITE]

LOL LOL... I can hear them rolling on the pentagon floor, laughing there berets off
talk about misguided ...then again what would the WSJ know about such matters, with there own world in tatters, any 'bad' news is good news lol lol..

SkyGrabber is a packet-sniffer. Whereas a normal packet-sniffer eavesdrops on an Ethernet or Wifi connection, SkyGrabber eavesdrops on satellite Internet downlinks.

It uses a satellite video card (DVB-S) for your PC, one that you might otherwise be used for video. SkyGrabber reconfigures the card to receive data downlinks instead (whether it's satellite video like DirecTV or BSkyB, or satellite Internet, the underlying technology is the same).

Better Iraqi insurgents, than Al Quenda spending $26.00....lol

[RedrumSalad]

Originally Posted by Steve

What's even more hilarious is for $10 more bucks you can get the browser plug-in to target and fire it's weapons. Unfortunately you have to sign up for a WindowsLIVE ID account, which thankfully; no insurgent is willing to do. Hey, they may be insurgents, but they aren't stupid.

hmm, i wonder if i could get this? lol jk

[Mstenger404]

Originally Posted by RedrumSalad

hmm, i wonder if i could get this? lol jk

in all seriousness, i would get it if I knew where. thatd be epic.

[Scott]

Originally Posted by Mstenger404

[RedrumSalad]

Originally Posted by Mstenger404

in all seriousness, i would get it if I knew where. thatd be epic.

what exactly would u blow up with the extra $10?

[Mstenger404]

Originally Posted by RedrumSalad

what exactly would u blow up with the extra $10?

anything, just to say i did.

[SilentTrigger]

Interesting, don't have a satalite dish to try it with though

[RedrumSalad]

Originally Posted by Mstenger404

anything, just to say i did.

cool, lol

i wonder if i could pilot one for an extra $20 with my joystick for my computer, i could think of a few things to blow up...


doubt it tho

[skinny killer]

LOL! hey I'll control one redrum and you get one and we'll race 'em.

[RedrumSalad]

Originally Posted by skinny killer

LOL! hey I'll control one redrum and you get one and we'll race 'em.

rofl, i can just imagine...

ur on the ground and u see 2 predators going as fast as they can across the sky

[skinny killer]

Lol!! ^