As our civilization continues to advance through the age of information, drones technology becomes ever more prominent within our daily lives. Considering that drones are rapidly growing in popularity, its functions could include but are not limited to the production of recreational art, automated labor, or even forms of weaponry[1]. Their uses can be found worldwide in commercial, industrial, and military applications[1]. In this article, you will be to learn about how drone technology functions as well as its risks and vulnerabilities and how to combat them.
What are Drones?
Drones are unmanned vehicles that are remotely controlled with varying degrees of autonomy. They come in all shapes and sizes which can be as small as your palm or as large as a private jet. While sometimes referred to as “Unmanned Aerial Vehicles” (UAVs), drones can also have land or even sea variants in order to adapt to its environment and operation objectives. The missions carried about by these drones can range anywhere from most simple to the most dangerous of tasks that could potentially cause bodily injury or even death[2].
How are Drones Used?
Drones have been around for the better part of two decades with the most common type being capable of flight, but despite their current popularity their history dates back all the way till the First World War[1]. Today, drones are capable of accomplishing a wide variety of tasks whether it be for simple deliveries, rescue missions, or even military operations such as reconnaissance and airstrikes[2]. Additionally, most sophisticated modern drones have integrated data-links system allowing for communications between the operator and other drones simultaneously even while actively performing a task.
Risks and Vulnerabilities
Considering that drones are operated remotely, they require a connection to the ground operator in order to perform maneuvers, but if one operator can control a drone another one could do so as well. With today’s technology, hackers are able to access and hijack drone networks without even having to own a drone[3]. In order for drones to autonomously operate on large scale operations, drones will use integrated GPS or similar systems in order to actively communicate to the controller and other drones within the fleet[2]. This creates a vulnerability allowing for multiple drones to be hacked simultaneously which could not only disrupt operations but also cause irreparable damage or even take a life[3]. Within the cyber domain, some of the major threats to drones includes but are not limited to[4]:
- GPS spoofing which is an attack that feeds false GPS coordinates to drones in order to take over a platform.
- Downlink interception which involves accessing the transmitted data between the controller and the drones.
- Data exploitation which involves the use of a drone to mimic network connections such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to steal data.
Preventative Measures
In order to mitigate the cybersecurity risk posed to drones, there are a few things to consider. How secure is the platform and the transmission of data, and how to counter drone platforms[4]. Drone security is similar to the security you would find on a computer device as the drone itself is just a mobile computer. Kaspersky has proposed some useful tips that could be used to not only to secure but also to combat these hacking attempts[5]:
- Active firmware patches in order to fix bugs and prevent potential exploits.
- Strong access keys on the application and the drone to add a layer of authentication.
- Implementing an anti-virus software to fight off and block hacking attempts.
- Using VPNs in order to encrypt connections between the operator and the drone.
- Automated return modes which forces the drone to return to you should it ever lose connection.
Sources
[1]: https://www.businessinsider.com/drone-technology-uses-applications
[2]: https://builtin.com/drones
[3]: https://uk.pcmag.com/security-devices-2/8285/skyjack-software-finds-and-hijacks-drones
[4]: https://www.tripwire.com/state-of-security/security-data-protection/cybersecurity-and-drones-how-to-address-the-security-threats/
[5]: https://www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/threats/can-drones-be-hacked
This was a super interesting topic and post! I never considered this potential flaw of drones, I always thought an automated drone would be more precise than manually controlled equipment. If a drone(s) were hacked, it would be difficult for the owner to prove to the public, especially with the drama the media would create. The blame would be shifted to the owner, not the hacker. This would be useful to hackers trying to undermine the reputation of a rival. Its scary to think that these technological advancements also have this flaw that will always exist.
Hi,
Great post! Drones are super interesting. It’s crazy to remember the very expensive consumer drones that were coming out like 5-8 years ago and contrast that to today where you can get a powerful drone for a relatively cheap price. I remember watching a clip of an interview of Elon Musk where he was discussing the dangers of drones and he made the argument that hobbyist drones can be used as a kamikaze bomb to attack a specific target by using the drone, and a facial recognition chip that are in most cellphones. That is pretty scary to think about. In the future if drone delivery bots are fully functioning or working it can be pretty devastating if a hacker could access them remotely for nefarious reasons.
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This was a great post to read! I had never considered that drones may be hacked as well. If delivery drones get hacked with wrong gps coordinates it may not be as bad loosing a package. However, a military strike drone which has missile capabilities getting the wrong coordinates would be devastating. I really enjoyed reading about your preventative measures which would all be beneficial in reducing the chances of drones being hacked. Once again great post!
This is a very good post. Drones are indeed a very dangerous element. I’ve heard stories before about planes taking off only to receive a drone intercept and have to stop. I find it hard to imagine the horrible disaster that could be caused if a hacker operated 10 drones at the same time and crashed them into the plane’s engine. With many new high-tech products, people need to consider the dangers that such convenience may bring while enjoying its convenience. With the development of the times, network security is becoming more and more important, and for high-tech companies, they should consider people’s safety before meeting their needs.
Hey, this was a great post. I know that drones are popular now more than ever. Anyone can get their hands on a drone and fly it wherever they please. However, I think my biggest issue with drones is their military use. If some country or organization were to hack drones of the US military, it would be an armageddon. Nonetheless, the drone’s civil use is also important because hacking the drone can invade individuals’ privacy and in some cases can impact their life without their notice. I think drone-makers should put more emphasis on security and privacy concerns so that they can protect their users and prevent any harm from occurring. In conclusion, as drone use is becoming more prevalent, I am sure there are many others who are actively seeking to exploit the technology and use it for their own means. Also, I would love to get your opinion on how drones could impact the food industry since many companies are moving towards drones as a means of food delivery?
I actually thought drones were small devices, that we see flying around to capture videos or photos. Now that I have realized drones are more than that and can be used for military operations, the cost of getting a drone hacked can be disastrous. If somehow a terrorist organization hacks a US drone and attacks North Korea, we can all imagine how devastating it can be. This can even lead to World War 3. Thus it has become necessary for tech industry to find such bugs and rectify those, otherwise we could be looking towards a generation where use of technology would be the most convenient way to get involved in criminal activities.
This topic is quite interesting since its still in its infancy and emerging. It provides opportunities for many players in the market to get ahead with innovations and novelty. The key point here is to address security as well during this stage in development as this industry is prone to hacking and threats that could cause potential large scale harms. Many startups and tech companies usually do not pay significant attention to this and only after it grows to a substantial position, or if they face real time threats, strong security measures are implemented. But this practice has to change and costs towards effort, time and money are outweighed by the benefits in this case. If they feature prominently in military practices in the future, consequences can be huge otherwise, as you rightly pointed out.
Great post!
The company that my father is working for has corporations with DJI, they have designed a system that uses DJI drones to check the high voltage transmission lines in working on the mountains. Since it is very important to prevent cybercriminals from hacking into the system to learn anything about the electricity delivery system by hacking the cameras on the drones, they created a special network firewall for this system. Also, the drones used here are a special version which is only produced by DJI for this system, you cannot buy them in the general market.
What I am worried about is, with the development of AI, the AI might be able to control the military drones to attack humans by themselves for some kind of “revolution”, it is like what we saw in the movies.
Very interesting topic. It never occurred to me that drones would be hacked. I thought it only happened in movies. It would be very scary for a hacker to use today’s very powerful drones. In the past, most terrorist attacks required human involvement, such as suicide bombers, car bombs and so on. Now hackers can use drones to carry out terrorist attacks while keeping themselves safe. It’s hard to imagine hackers breaking into military drones and striking other countries. Maybe someday something from a movie will happen in real life. However, these loopholes will always exist in the progress of technology.
Very interesting topic. It never occurred to me that drones would be hacked. I thought it only happened in movies. It would be very scary for a hacker to use today’s very powerful drones. In the past, most terrorist attacks required human involvement, such as suicide bombers, car bombs and so on. Now hackers can use drones to carry out terrorist attacks while keeping themselves safe. It’s hard to imagine hackers breaking into military drones and striking other countries. Maybe someday something from a movie will happen in real life. However, these loopholes will always exist in the progress of technology.
Very interesting topic. It never occurred to me that drones would be hacked. I thought it only happened in movies. It would be very scary for a hacker to use today’s very powerful drones. In the past, most terrorist attacks required human involvement, such as suicide bombers, car bombs and so on. Now hackers can use drones to carry out terrorist attacks while keeping themselves safe. It’s hard to imagine hackers breaking into military drones and striking other countries. Maybe someday something from a movie will happen in real life. However, these loopholes will always exist in the progress of technology.
Very interesting topic. It never occurred to me that drones would be hacked. I thought it only happened in movies. It would be very scary for a hacker to use today’s very powerful drones. In the past, most terrorist attacks required human involvement, such as suicide bombers, car bombs and so on. Now hackers can use drones to carry out terrorist attacks while keeping themselves safe. It’s hard to imagine hackers breaking into military drones and striking other countries. Maybe someday something from a movie will happen in real life. However, these loopholes will always exist in the progress of technology.
Very interesting topic. It never occurred to me that drones would be hacked. I thought it only happened in movies. It would be very scary for a hacker to use today’s very powerful drones. In the past, most terrorist attacks required human involvement, such as suicide bombers, car bombs and so on. Now hackers can use drones to carry out terrorist attacks while keeping themselves safe. It’s hard to imagine hackers breaking into military drones and striking other countries. Maybe someday something from a movie will happen in real life. However, these loopholes will always exist in the progress of technology.
Very interesting topic. It never occurred to me that drones would be hacked. I thought it only happened in movies. It would be very scary for a hacker to use today’s very powerful drones. In the past, most terrorist attacks required human involvement, such as suicide bombers, car bombs and so on. Now hackers can use drones to carry out terrorist attacks while keeping themselves safe. It’s hard to imagine hackers breaking into military drones and striking other countries. Maybe someday something from a movie will happen in real life. However, these loopholes will always exist in the progress of technology.
Very interesting topic. It never occurred to me that drones would be hacked. I thought it only happened in movies. It would be very scary for a hacker to use today’s very powerful drones. In the past, most terrorist attacks required human involvement, such as suicide bombers, car bombs and so on. Now hackers can use drones to carry out terrorist attacks while keeping themselves safe. It’s hard to imagine hackers breaking into military drones and striking other countries. Maybe someday something from a movie will happen in real life. However, these loopholes will always exist in the progress of technology.
Very interesting topic. It never occurred to me that drones would be hacked. I thought it only happened in movies. It would be very scary for a hacker to use today’s very powerful drones. In the past, most terrorist attacks required human involvement, such as suicide bombers, car bombs and so on. Now hackers can use drones to carry out terrorist attacks while keeping themselves safe. It’s hard to imagine hackers breaking into military drones and striking other countries. Maybe someday something from a movie will happen in real life. However, these loopholes will always exist in the progress of technology.
Very interesting topic. It never occurred to me that drones would be hacked. I thought it only happened in movies. It would be very scary for a hacker to use today’s very powerful drones. In the past, most terrorist attacks required human involvement, such as suicide bombers, car bombs and so on. Now hackers can use drones to carry out terrorist attacks while keeping themselves safe. It’s hard to imagine hackers breaking into military drones and striking other countries. Maybe someday something from a movie will happen in real life. However, these loopholes will always exist in the progress of technology.
Very interesting topic. It never occurred to me that drones would be hacked. I thought it only happened in movies. It would be very scary for a hacker to use today’s very powerful drones. In the past, most terrorist attacks required human involvement, such as suicide bombers, car bombs and so on. Now hackers can use drones to carry out terrorist attacks while keeping themselves safe. It’s hard to imagine hackers breaking into military drones and striking other countries. Maybe someday something from a movie will happen in real life. However, these loopholes will always exist in the progress of technology.
Very interesting topic. It never occurred to me that drones would be hacked. I thought it only happened in movies. It would be very scary for a hacker to use today’s very powerful drones. In the past, most terrorist attacks required human involvement, such as suicide bombers, car bombs and so on. Now hackers can use drones to carry out terrorist attacks while keeping themselves safe. It’s hard to imagine hackers breaking into military drones and striking other countries. Maybe someday something from a movie will happen in real life. However, these loopholes will always exist in the progress of technology.
Very interesting topic. It never occurred to me that drones would be hacked. I thought it only happened in movies. It would be very scary for a hacker to use today’s very powerful drones. In the past, most terrorist attacks required human involvement, such as suicide bombers, car bombs and so on. Now hackers can use drones to carry out terrorist attacks while keeping themselves safe. It’s hard to imagine hackers breaking into military drones and striking other countries. Maybe someday something from a movie will happen in real life. However, these loopholes will always exist in the progress of technology.
Very interesting topic. It never occurred to me that drones would be hacked. I thought it only happened in movies. It would be very scary for a hacker to use today’s very powerful drones. In the past, most terrorist attacks required human involvement, such as suicide bombers, car bombs and so on. Now hackers can use drones to carry out terrorist attacks while keeping themselves safe. It’s hard to imagine hackers breaking into military drones and striking other countries. Maybe someday something from a movie will happen in real life. However, these loopholes will always exist in the progress of technology.
Very interesting topic. It never occurred to me that drones would be hacked. I thought it only happened in movies. It would be very scary for a hacker to use today’s very powerful drones. In the past, most terrorist attacks required human involvement, such as suicide bombers, car bombs and so on. Now hackers can use drones to carry out terrorist attacks while keeping themselves safe. It’s hard to imagine hackers breaking into military drones and striking other countries. Maybe someday something from a movie will happen in real life. However, these loopholes will always exist in the progress of technology.
The really fun part of drone security is the person (or computer) flying the drone! Elon Musk one talked about how you could use facial recognition software, strap it to a drone, strap the drone with explosives, and have it do a grid sweep of a building as a form of really screwed up assassination. It also doesn’t help that the regulations regarding drones aren’t still fully planned out, and some recreational drones such as the DJI Mavic Mini manage to skirt regulations in order to avoid a person needing to register their drone or get a license. If anything, its what the common layperson does with the common laydrone that scares me, and getting a predator missile dropped on my house by a haywire military drone is probably one the least likely ways that I’m going to kick the bucket.
This technology, like a lot of technologies nowadays, its still in its relative infancy, and I do see a bright future of more secure and user friendly drones, as well as more attackers finding weird and dangerous stuff to do with these flying machines. Thanks for the post!