What is a satellite trap?

Question

I keep hearing about satellite traps, which have something to do with receiving and transmitting satellite communications, but I can't seem to find a definition.

The securityaffairs.co blogpost Hack Satellite Connection and Surf Anonymously with High-speed Internet says:

A Spanish-based security analyst demonstrated new satellite capturing traps that could allow to surf anonymously with High-speed Internet.

and

In a presentation at the Black Hat security gathering in Arlington, Va., Tuesday, Spanish cybersecurity specialist Leonardo Nve introduced a mixed bag of traps for obtaining entrance to and abusing satellite Internet associations. Utilizing not even exactly $75 as a part of devices, Nve, a scientist with security firm S21Sec, says that he can catch Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) signs to get free rapid (extremely high speed) Internet.

But I still don't understand what the trap actually is! Is it something in space, or on the ground? Are there any aspects of traps that relate to how the satellite operates or orbits the Earth?

Can you provide a link to such a reference, or are you hearing this term from non-internet sources? — Russell Borogove, Jan 11 '19 at 01:06
https://securityaffairs.co/wordpress/39308/hacking/hack-satellite.html — Steve Mucci, Jan 11 '19 at 01:21
Now that you have edited the acronym TRaP out of your question, my answer no longer applies :( — Organic Marble, Jan 11 '19 at 01:26
@OrganicMarble it's there, if you're interested let me know. — uhoh, Jan 11 '19 at 05:20
@SteveMucci I've moved your link back into your question where it belongs, quoted a bit of it, and elaborated on your question to emphasize the Space Exploration aspects of it. If it turns out not to have any SE aspects, then in that case it might be better to ask in Security SE rather than here. — uhoh, Jan 11 '19 at 05:47

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 11 '19 at 08:30

3

From the information in the question it's clear to me that those traps are illegal ground stations. Normally you need a subscription to get satellite internet. This researcher has found a way to decode the signals and get free access.

answered Jan 11 '19 at 08:30

Hobbes

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Russell Borogove · Answer 2 · 2019-06-10T21:02:09.043

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The article doesn’t read like a native English speaker wrote it (e.g. “utilizing not even exactly $75 as a part of devices...”).

In context I think “trap” means “hack” or “exploit” in the information security sense.

edited Jun 10 '19 at 21:02

answered Jun 10 '19 at 11:35

Russell Borogove

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What is a satellite trap?

2 Answers2

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