ALBAWABA - Israel's security establishment is getting more and more worried that the ongoing cyber warfare could soon spread beyond Earth's digital networks and into space. Israeli news reports say that people are becoming more worried that hackers could try to break into or take control of Israeli satellites that are flying over the area.
i24NEWS has done a thorough analysis and found that Israeli defense and intelligence agencies are looking into the possible threat of cyber attacks on satellites like the Ofek reconnaissance system, which is currently flying over the Mediterranean Sea. The report looked at possible scenarios of a hostile takeover and asked if the blame would fall on technical failure or an outside cyberattack.
Even though satellites like Ofek are made of strong aluminum and have sensors and antennas, they still need digital command systems to work. The report said, "There is always a door where there is code." This means that even things in space could theoretically be vulnerable to advanced cyber attacks.
Hackers could give satellites false but verified commands that they might carry out without checking. These kinds of actions could include sending cameras to sensitive military areas, downloading secret images, or even sending out propaganda broadcasts.
Experts say that human error or compromised ground systems are still the weakest link, even though Israel has some of the most advanced satellite defense systems in the world. People think that control stations, not the satellites themselves, are the most likely place for attackers to get in.
To lower the risks, Israel is said to run its satellite control networks offline, meaning they are not connected to the internet at all. These networks have automatic "lockdown" protocols that cut off communication if they pick up on any strange signals.
Reminders of Past Cyber Events
The i24NEWS report brought back memories of other times when satellites were hacked around the world. In a well-known event from 1998, hackers broke into NASA's computers and took control of the ROSAT research satellite, telling it to point directly at the sun, which destroyed its sensors.
Even small groups have used commercial satellites in the past. For example, the Tamil Tigers once hijacked a signal to spread propaganda.
Experts Say: The Threat Is Real but Complicated
Analysts say that in theory, it is possible to hijack an Israeli satellite, but in practice, it is hard. To get past all the layers of encryption, an attacker would have to match the exact transmission frequency and copy trusted authentication signatures.
But Israeli officials admit that "space piracy," or hacking into assets in space, is no longer just a science fiction story. It could be a new front in modern warfare as cyber capabilities grow around the world.
