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To: for-q-clinton
The article said that EVERYTHING BUT GPS was encrypted. So they just attacked the weak point.

I haven't seen the article that you reference, but I find that to be EXTREMELY unlikely.

The GPS system was originally designed to broadcast two signals: an encrypted high-precision code, and an unencrypted code with less precision. Military devices use the encrypted code. Civilian devices use the unencrypted code.

The unencrypted code was intentionally "dithered" in order to reduce the precision, using a feature called "selective availability" (or "SA"). The level of dithering can be adjusted. But, SA was eventually turned off in 2000, so that even civilian devices get the same level of precision as military devices.

However, SA can be turned back on/up at the drop of a hat, at least until GPS III satellites begin launching in 2014. Reportedly, those satellites do not have SA functionality.

23 posted on 12/28/2011 9:34:21 AM PST by justlurking (The only remedy for a bad guy with a gun is a good WOMAN (Sgt. Kimberly Munley) with a gun)
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To: justlurking

I did a quick bing search and this came up...not the exact same article but it’s the same general content:
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Iranians-Capture-US-Drone-with-GPS-Attack-241075.shtml

Evidently military grade GPS is also very hackable.


24 posted on 12/28/2011 10:46:30 AM PST by for-q-clinton (If at first you don't succeed keep on sucking until you do succeed)
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