Date: Sun, 28 Feb 1999 13:56:30 -0500
From: Joe Williams <joe-w-AT-concentric.net>
Subject: Hackers Reportedly Seize British Military Satellite


LONDON (Reuters) - Hackers have seized control of one of Britain's
military communication satellites and issued blackmail threats, The
Sunday Business newspaper reported.

The newspaper, quoting security sources, said the intruders altered the
course of one of Britain's four satellites that are used by defense
planners and military forces around the world.

The sources said the satellite's course was changed just over two weeks
ago. The hackers then issued a blackmail threat, demanding money to stop
interfering with the satellite.

``This is a nightmare scenario,'' said one intelligence source. Military
strategists said that if Britain were to come under nuclear attack, an
aggressor would first interfere with military communications systems.

``This is not just a case of computer nerds mucking about. This is very,
very serious and the blackmail threat has made it even more serious,''
one security source said.

Police said they would not comment as the investigation was at too
sensitive a stage. The Ministry of Defense made no comment.