Jun 7, 2013
Air Force says drone computer virus poses ‘no threat’
A computer virus has infected the U.S.-based cockpits of the military’s Predator and Reaper drones, according to media reports.
The robotic planes are controlled remotely from Creech Air Force Base in Nevada as they fly above Afghanistan, Libya and other war zones. The drones are manufactured by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. at its sprawling campus in Poway.
The virus, first reported by Wired magazine’s defense blog, is allegedly logging pilots’ every keystroke as they carry out their missions. The article, which relies on unnamed sources, says the virus was first detected two weeks ago and has remained on Creech’s computer system despite multiple efforts to remove it.
“Military network security specialists aren’t sure whether the virus and its so-called ‘keylogger’ payload were introduced intentionally or by accident; it may be a common piece of malware that just happened to make its way into these sensitive networks,” the article says. “The specialists don’t know exactly how far the virus has spread.”
