Satellite communication without privacy – attacker's paradise

Abstract

In this paper we highlight the fact that a huge amount of information is sent unsecured via satellite broadcast data channels (here: encapsulated in DVB-s). By applying straightforward data analysis it is possible for any attacker equipped with a digital satellite dish and a DVB card PC to derive extensive confidential information on single users (e.g., legal name, banking details, monthly income facts, mail content etc.) as well as to hijack the user's web identities (e.g., online auction accounts). Many users do not seem to know or to care that broadcasted data can be easily intercepted; moreover even commercial users let high confidential customer related data (e.g. tender calculation details, negotiations with military customers) be sent unsecured via broadcast channels.