this post was submitted on 06 May 2024
141 points (81.9% liked)

Showerthoughts

29723 readers
350 users here now

A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

Rules

  1. All posts must be showerthoughts
  2. The entire showerthought must be in the title
  3. Avoid politics
    1. NEW RULE as of 5 Nov 2024, trying it out
    2. Political posts often end up being circle jerks (not offering unique perspective) or enflaming (too much work for mods).
    3. Try c/politicaldiscussion, volunteer as a mod here, or start your own community.
  4. Posts must be original/unique
  5. Adhere to Lemmy's Code of Conduct-----

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 

NASA remotely reprogramming Voyager 1 also means that aliens can reprogram all of our satellites.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [email protected] 34 points 6 months ago (15 children)

This is assuming that they would know and understand the code. Also, that nothing is encrypted but I guess encryption can be broken.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 6 months ago (3 children)

I would doubt they would have encrypted anything on the probe back in 1977 when it launched.

[–] [email protected] 29 points 6 months ago (1 children)

The ultimate security by obscurity. Do you have a 30m antenna? Can you point it exactly at the space ship with almost no error? Do you know what it's code and protocols are? OK, please reprogram Voyager

[–] [email protected] -1 points 6 months ago

Stick with the plan.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 6 months ago (1 children)

OP says reprogram all of the satellites. So I would assume that would include the modern ones with encryption as well.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I cannot confirm or deny any such arrangement exists with an existing alien species.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago

Call the FBI! We found the alien!

[–] [email protected] 6 points 6 months ago (4 children)

I would hope there is at least authentication of some kind...

[–] [email protected] 12 points 6 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 8 points 6 months ago

Actually it's Admin47 now because of the yearly password change requirement.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I would guess not. Any authentication scheme would just be another risk point to not be able to talk to the thing from earth.

But I'm just guessing.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (1 children)

I wouldn’t be so sure. They were probably scared the Russians might sabotage it.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

That's actually a good point. However, the technology and conceptual understanding of encryption was not really a thing in 1970

Sure encryption was around but it was mostly people with code books

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago

It is from the 1970's

load more comments (11 replies)