UPSC Current Affairs
GPS SPOOFING
Recently, a Dubai-bound business jet from Europe flew into Iranian airspace with no clearance in September due to a false signal on the aircraft navigation system. GPS spoofing is an attack aimed at overriding a GPS enabled device’s original location. To do so, the attacker uses a radio transmitter that broadcasts fake GPS signals and interferes with GPS receivers nearby.
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Recently, a Dubai-bound business jet from Europe flew into Iranian airspace with no clearance in September due to a false signal on the aircraft navigation system. GPS spoofing is an attack aimed at overriding a GPS enabled device’s original location. To do so, the attacker uses a radio transmitter that broadcasts fake GPS signals and interferes with GPS receivers nearby.
WHY IN NEWS?
- Recently, a Dubai-bound business jet from Europe flew into Iranian airspace with no clearance in September due to a false signal on the aircraft navigation system.
WHAT IS GPS SPOOFING ?
- GPS spoofing is an attack aimed at overriding a GPS enabled device’s original location.
- To do so, the attacker uses a radio transmitter that broadcasts fake GPS signals and interferes with GPS receivers nearby.
- As a result, those devices display fake GPS locations.
- The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), which GPS (the Global Positioning System) is a part of, is also used to sync the date and time across devices around the world.
- So if your device is GPS spoofed, it might also suddenly show that you have traveled to the future or back in time.
IMPLICATIONS OF GPS SPOOFING:
- GPS spoofing provides false signals to the GPS receiver of a plane, manipulating its inertial reference system.
- This can put the aircraft off its intended course and result in intrusion or collision.
- A GNSS interference can also result in false data for a plane’s fuel computation system, flight management system, and ground or wind speed information on the navigation display.
- Taxi drivers can use GPS spoofing to fake their location to earn more money for standing.
- GPS spoofing can change the perceived location of ships, planes, and other vehicles.
OTHER TYPES OF SPOOFING:
- URL spoofing. It is the process of creating fake URLs that pose as a different website. A spoofed URL looks like a legitimate source, but it is used for stealing your data.
- IP spoofing. It is a hacking technique when a packet’s original IP address is changed to a fake one. IP spoofing allows cybercriminals to carry out malicious activities and avoid detection.
- DNS spoofing. It is a cyberattack that directs internet users to fake or malicious websites. DNS spoofing is carried out by replacing real IP addresses with different ones
SYLLABUS: PRELIMS, CURRENT AFFAIRS
- Prelims: Key facts, institutions, locations and terminology in the article.
- Mains: Connect the topic with Environment, International Relations, Polity & Governance.
- Revision: Use the article headings to prepare concise notes and answer-writing points.
Test your understanding
Questions from this article
Prelims practiceWith reference to GPS SPOOFING, consider the following statements:
- Recently, a Dubai-bound business jet from Europe flew into Iranian airspace with no clearance in September due to a false signal on the aircraft navigation system.
- GPS spoofing is an attack aimed at overriding a GPS enabled device’s original location.
- To do so, the attacker uses a radio transmitter that broadcasts fake GPS signals and interferes with GPS receivers nearby.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
View answer
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3. All three statements are drawn from the article.
Mains practiceDiscuss the background, key issues and significance of GPS SPOOFING for India.
Answer in 250 words.
View answer approach
- WHY IN NEWS?
- WHAT IS GPS SPOOFING ?
- IMPLICATIONS OF GPS SPOOFING:
- OTHER TYPES OF SPOOFING:
Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions
Why is Gps Spoofing in the news?
Recently, a Dubai-bound business jet from Europe flew into Iranian airspace with no clearance in September due to a false signal on the aircraft navigation system. GPS spoofing is an attack aimed at overriding a GPS enabled device’s original location.
What are the key facts about Gps Spoofing?
To do so, the attacker uses a radio transmitter that broadcasts fake GPS signals and interferes with GPS receivers nearby. As a result, those devices display fake GPS locations. The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), which GPS (the Global Positioning System) is a part of, is also used to sync the date and time across devices around the world.
Why is Gps Spoofing important for UPSC preparation?
The topic connects current developments with Environment, International Relations, Polity & Governance and is relevant for both objective revision and analytical answer writing.