New Algorithm Helps Prevent Cyber Attacks on GPS Technologies

Growing up in the digital age, we are no stranger to GPS technologies. Whether on our cell phones, embedded in our Fitbit’s, or programmed into our cars, most of us have utilized GPS tracking systems at some point in our lives. With GPS systems being so popular, it also makes them very susceptible to malicious cyber attacks. After conducting a new study at the University of Texas at San Antonio, two researches and a graduate student have created an algorithm that might be the answer to safeguarding our GPS systems.

In many cases, hackers and cyber attackers have recreated the GPS signal and tampered with items such as the time and current location of GPS systems. For many users, this is distressing since it could send people to incorrect locations or interrupt important data collection.

The researcher’s algorithm can identify false GPS signals and counter attack these signals as they are transmitted to your device. The best part about it? It is as easy as downloading an app onto your device. They are working currently on making this technology available for iPhone and Android users everywhere to protect our devices from GPS hacks.

 

Source: University of Texas at San Antonio. “New method to stop cyber attacks on GPS-enabled devices.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 19 March 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180319090722.htm>.

2 thoughts on “New Algorithm Helps Prevent Cyber Attacks on GPS Technologies

  1. GPS and other tracking devices that we use everyday are very vulnerable to cyber attacks. With technology growing and changing so fast, many people are unaware of the ways in which it can invade and impede on our personal information. Your post was very interesting to me, mostly because the researchers are tackling an issue that I didn’t even know existed, but also because it has to deal with technology that is so familiar to people.

    According to an article I read on The Hacker News, such vulnerabilities that these researchers are talking about can happen on any GPS-enabled devices such as children trackers, pet trackers, car trackers and many more. Using these technological loopholes, hackers can access personal information such as GPS coordinates, phone numbers, device information, IMEI numbers and custom assigned names. Even more shocking, unauthorized third parties may also be able to access photos and audio recordings uploaded by location tracking devices. It’s important that people know about these threats in order to understand what they can do to prevent them.

    Source: https://thehackernews.com/2018/01/gps-location-tracking.html

  2. In this digital world, we need to seek new ways to protect our security and privacy. As you stated, there is a high chance that hackers and cyber attackers change our GPS information, steal data and sometimes put us in a dangerous situation. This Algorithm which created by researchers Nikolaos Gatsis, David Akopian and Ahmad F. Taha is for the purpose of solving those leaks and prevent cyber-attacks in real time is wonderful. And this algorithm was released to people to download to cell phones or computers as a new app. This reminds me that shipping industry is vulnerable to cyber-attacks and GPS jamming. The shipping industry is at risk because of the cybersecurity attacks and the internet gap. Shipping industry involved high-valued assets and many daily base goods. In this age, shipping is a very important source to support our daily life and it is highly depended on the GPS technology which means the leaks on the technology could influence them dramatically and created significant problems to everyone, include GPS, AIS, ECDIS, etc. Quota from professor David Last, “If GPS goes wrong, the potential for accidents is very high.” Scientists are working on solving these problems and protect the security on GPS now. It is excellent to see that the protection is growing stronger by algorithms and techniques.

    Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2017/02/01/shipping-industry-vulnerable-to-cyber-attacks-and-gps-jamming.html

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