Chinese Military Suspected in Hacker Attacks on U.S. Satellites

Bloomberg: Next month, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission will release a report which reveals that hackers associated with the Chinese military may have gained access to U.S. observation satellites on four separate occasions during 2007 and 2008. “Such interference poses numerous potential threats, particularly if achieved against satellites with more sensitive functions,” according to the draft. “Access to a satellite’s controls could allow an attacker to damage or destroy the satellite. An attacker could also deny or degrade as well as forge or otherwise manipulate the satellite’s transmission.”

Although the draft of the report stops short of directly accusing the Chinese government, it does raise suspicions about Chinese involvement and says that such attacks with be “consistent” with Chinese military writings. Chinese hackers are strongly suspected in several other recent cyberattacks against U.S. companies and agencies.