American spacecraft manufacturer, space launch provider; Space Exploration Technologies Corp more popularly known as SpaceX now wants internet security specialists and researchers to hack into its satellite internet constellation; Starlink and report any bugs found for a reward of 25,000 United States Dollars (USD) which is around 2.99 million Kenyan Shillings.
Although SpaceX which was founded by Elon Musk is hugely popular for carrying out cargo missions and astronaut missions with its reusable rockets its low latency broadband internet system; Starlink, has gradually begun to gain traction as well.
Earlier in 2022 when Russia invaded Eastern European country Ukraine, it reportedly attempted to disrupt the communication system present in the country through attacking its fiber optic network. Terminals belonging to SpaceX were flown in not long after, and connectivity was restored in a couple of days, connecting as many as 150,000 Ukrainians to its Starlink internet service.
Now as Starlink’s services continue to expand into more territories across the world the internet service provider is anticipating significant growth in it overall user count.
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Due to the fact that its business model sees it shipping its terminals to anyone who purchases it even if said user resides in the remote parts of a country, it currently has no say over how exactly said terminals are used or utilized to access its network.
Earlier on in August of 2022 it was made public knowledge that a modchip could be utilized to hack into Starlink’s satellite dishes causing a glitch that would make it possible for hackers to gain access to parts of the system that are locked.
According to reports the particular modchip in question, was created from parts that could be bought directly from shelves and put together for not more than 25 United States Dollars (USD) which is around 2,988 Kenyan Shillings and then provides the hacker with root access to the terminal, making it possible for them to implement arbitrary code.
A hack like that, will affect the Starlink terminal in a way that cannot be repaired by the internet services company. The hack was also brought forward at a recent BlackHat Conference in the United States (US).
On the bright side, the hacker did not intend to harm or alter Starlink’s services. Said hacker only aimed to demonstrate just how vulnerable Starlink’s infrastructure was and the extent to which improvements needed to take place.
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The effortlessness with which Lennert Wouters who is the hacker, was able to get into the Starlink terminal resulted in SpaceX releasing a six (6) page document that properly explains the security steps contained in the Starlink network and the significance of Lennert Wouters’ hack for Starlink users which is essentially, no risk.
On the last two (2) pages of the six (6) page document, SpaceX made it known that it is encouraging hackers to try to gain access to its systems and that it will be providing rewards for any bugs reported to company.
SpaceX also made it known that said hack attempts should be executed in the most non disruptive ways attainable. It then went on to dedicate an entire page to the detailing of how it values all attempts to find bugs.
This means that if you discover any bug that could potentially cause damage, you will need to give the company enough time to provide a response, before you attempt to affect the network or access any data and or go to media platforms with said information.
The highest payout for the hack attempts will be 25,000 United States Dollars which translates to around 3 million Kenyan Shillings.
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The average payout so far, has however been 973 United States Dollars (which is around 117 thousand Kenyan Shillings) with a validation period of five (5) days for a large portion of the bugs that were reported.
The document released by SpaceX also made it known that anyone who is interested in being a part of its services in the long term, can also check out the career opportunities available at the American spacecraft manufacturer, space launch provider, and satellite communications corporation.
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