Computer Virus Hits U.S. Drone Fleet

[arisma]

A computer virus has infected the cockpits of America’s Predator and Reaper drones, logging pilots’ every keystroke as they remotely fly missions over Afghanistan and other warzones.
The virus, first detected nearly two weeks ago by the military’s Host-Based Security System, has not prevented pilots at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada from flying

Comments

[romp]

Yikes. I can't get over guys sitting in Nevada killing people from a console and then heading out to lunch.

the drone systems are known to have security flaws. Many Reapers and Predators don’t encrypt the video they transmit to American troops on the ground
I understand getting a military contract is like winning the lottery but errors at this level? WTF I suppose careers are crashing and burning over this in the military but I can't help caring more about the people whose lives are affected.

[kyra_neko_rei]

Yikes. I can't get over guys sitting in Nevada killing people from a console and then heading out to lunch.

This.

I read this random piece awhile ago that attempted to explain the downfall of the evil Empire in Star Wars as having to do in part with the stormtroopers' wearing helmets that made them look like faceless automatons rather than human beings, and how this affected any firefights in the Rebels' favor because the stormtroopers had to make themselves shoot at individual, distinctive people while the Rebels could mow down this anonymous mass of Enemy.

The US military has apparently one-upped them, and turned killing human beings into a video game.

Any weapon of war that makes killing easier from an emotional perspective will never do enough to overcome the damage it deals to the humanity of the world.

Anyone who hasn't seen this

[leprofessional]

Re: Anyone who hasn't seen this

[arisma]

That is full on fucking terrifying.

[danger0usbeans]

Sounds like the virus might be in their firmware, embedded in a microchip. I don't know for sure, but it seems highly likely that their hardware is not made in the US. 'Cause that's not a recipe for disaster or anything.

[dark_puck]

Saw that comin'.

[gloraelin]

I'm trying to find it in me to be sad or upset and I'm kinda failing here.

[kittymink]

Shoulda listened to Eugene Kaspersky: