Stolen NASA Laptop Had Space Station Control Code

astroengine writes "NASA had 5,408 computer security lapses in 2010 and 2011, including the March 2011 loss of a laptop computer that contained algorithms used to command and control the International Space Station, the agency's inspector general told Congress Wednesday. According to his statement (PDF), 'These incidents spanned a wide continuum from individuals testing their skill to break into NASA systems, to well-organized criminal enterprises hacking for profit, to intrusions that may have been sponsored by foreign intelligence services seeking to further their countries’ objectives.'"

Set your controls

[Anonymous Coward]

to the heart of the first post!

Cue HAL 9000...

[Okomokochoko]

Coming soon to the ISS: "I'm afraid I can't do that, Dave."

Stop using the LCARS Operating System

[jfalcon]

Seriously, what do you expect for security when a 8 year old can "override the security protocols" at a whim? The engineers who designed that system need to get bitch slapped - repeatedly.

Algorithm != control

[mbone]

This doesn't sound like much of an actual threat. If you can't physically access the machine, what good does having its "algorithms" do you ? What, is Elon Musk going to carry this up to the ISS on the Dragon and take over the air handling system ?

Re:Algorithm != control

[jfalcon]

It could mean the Command and Control authentication for remote administration of the station. I'm sure there are SATCOM pirates who would love to screw with the attitude controls of something like the space station.

Hmmm...

[wbr1]

This laptop I bought on craigslist with the JPL asset tag and wallpaper is starting to look interesting.
What is this "Plumbing Subroutines" folder? And why does ZoneAlarm have it allowed to connect to ISS.nasa.gov?
Whoops... [space.com]

Re:Set your controls

[Anonymous Coward]

Careful with that downmod, Eugene.

Let me explain something to you!

[Anonymous Coward]

YOu see, hackers could get a hold of that code and design a worm and virus around it. Then, by uplinking to a satellite and hacking into the ISS' control systems from that, they could implant the virus and take over the ISS. Then from there, they order the ISS to fire its thrusters and crash into the Whitehouse. BUT, it will be stopped because Chris Pine, after getting his ass kicked by oen of the Russian astronauts, will get up there and stop it with some clever out witting of the astronauts.

So, don't you see?! This has some serious reprocussions in regards to some really really shitty Hollywood script being written and causing all of us much SciFi or SyFy pain. Actually, if it were SyFy, there's be ghosts involved.

Re:Set your controls

[forkfail]

To most folks, that reference will make about as much sense as someone typing ummagumma.

Re:Meh, just some source code

[ColdWetDog]

So they're going to find an alien fighter in the bowels of Area 51, fly it up to the ISS and upload a virus?

Sounds like the plot of a dumb science fiction movie.

Re:God forbid someone hacks 40 year old tech

[steelfood]

Bet your iPhone would have trouble surivivng a class M flare too.