Your Data in Space Isn’t Safe: Researchers Warn Satellites Leak Information Worse Than Café Wi-Fi

A new study has sent shockwaves through the tech world: a research team from the University of Maryland and the University of California, San Diego has discovered that geostationary satellites (GEO) — the ones that deliver internet and phone data to remote regions — are broadcasting sensitive information in plain text, freely accessible to anyone with about $600 worth of equipment.

Sensitive Data Floating Through Space Like Open Wi-Fi According to the researchers, a “shocking amount of sensitive traffic” is transmitted unencrypted across satellite networks. During their experiment, the team placed a simple consumer satellite dish on a university rooftop and monitored 39 satellites in orbit. What they found was alarming: 🔹 Encryption keys used for mobile communications

🔹 SMS messages from everyday users

🔹 Even military system data and critical infrastructure transmissions The researchers warned that anyone with basic consumer-grade hardware could passively capture such data. “A single satellite transponder can broadcast information visible across up to 40% of Earth’s surface,” they wrote.

Encryption Is Not Optional – It’s Essential The problem? Users can’t tell whether their provider encrypts the data or not. Researchers therefore advise individuals to protect themselves with VPNs to hide IP addresses and encrypt online traffic. Messaging and voice calls should always go through end-to-end encrypted apps such as Signal or Telegram.

As the team emphasized: “Encryption must be mandatory at every layer — not an optional add-on. It’s the only true safeguard against system failures.”

Some Providers Have Already Taken Action After publishing their findings, the researchers alerted major satellite providers, including partners of T-Mobile, Walmart, and KPU.

These companies have since implemented fixes to strengthen security.

However, many networks remain vulnerable, and the investigation is still ongoing.

Why Aren’t Satellites Encrypting Data Yet? The main obstacle is cost — many remote or legacy receivers simply can’t afford the hardware or licenses required for robust encryption.

Additionally, encryption can complicate network troubleshooting and occasionally hinder emergency communications.

In short, convenience and cost are putting global privacy at risk. “While academics have pushed for universal encryption across the web, satellite communications have remained in the shadows,” the researchers noted.

What the Study Didn’t Cover The analysis focused only on geostationary satellites — those fixed above specific regions. It did not include low-Earth orbit (LEO) systems like Elon Musk’s Starlink, which require more complex equipment to monitor. According to the authors, those systems are likely encrypted, but this has not been independently verified.

The Bottom Line As the world becomes more connected, this study exposes the dark side of global connectivity.

Satellites may bring internet access to the most remote corners of the planet — but they also open the door to the largest data leak in orbit. Until providers take encryption seriously, there’s only one rule that matters: encrypt yourself.

#CyberSecurity , #Privacy , #technews , #starlink , #signal

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