This is the article that started it all. This article allegedly appeared in the Sunday Business, a London print newspaper, on February 10th, 1999. It was sent to us from our friends in Germany. We are republishing it here without permision.

Blackmail hackers take over military satellite

IN AN astonishing breach of national security, computer hackers have taken control of one Britain's military communications satellites. Sunday Business can reveal that, earlier this month, the intruders altered the course of the satellite and sent panic throughout the armed forces. Tony Blair was immediately notified, according to security sources.

The Ministry of Defence had to report to the prime minister that someone had taken control of one of its four military satellites, which defence planners and forces deployed around the world use to communicate with each other.

Military strategists say that if Britain were to come under nuclear attack, an aggressor would first interfere with military communications systems. The intelligence services, including the electronic eavesdropping spy base GCHQ, were called in to hunt the hackers. One intelligence source said: "This is a nightmare scenario."

Security sources say the satellite's course was first changed just over two weeks ago. The hackers have since issued a blackmail threat, demanding money to stop interfering with the satellite. The blackmail has resulted in the Metropolitan police organised crime unit being brought into the investigation.

One security source said: "This is not just a case of computer nerds mucking about. This is very, very serious and the blackmail threat has made it even more serious."

A spokeswoman for Scotland Yard's specialist operations said the Investigation was at too sensitive a stage for any comment. The Ministry of Defernce made no comment. But security sources say the net is closing on the culprits. Sunday Business is withholding operational details of the investigation to prevent it being jeopardised.

The satellites, controlled from RAF Oakhanger in Hampshire, are used by all Britain's armed forces and play a cruical role in any military operation, such as in the former Yugoslavia or in Iraq. Britain's first three military satellites were launched some 10 years ago, while the fourth, Skypnet 4D, was put in January last year. A fifth satellite, Skynet 4E, was sent up only last Friday on the Ariane rocket, which was launched from the European Space Agency launch centre in Kourou, French Guiana, on the north-east coast of South America.

Military experts say the UK is the second biggest user of military communications after America. NATO has two military intelligence satalites similiar to the British Skynets, opertated by RAF bases including Oakhanger. Britain has no spy satellites and instead uses feed from US satellites, which provide most of Britain's intelligence.