"the RF message protocol used for most 'live' location stats in FlightRadar24, has no form of authentication."
I wonder if this is a potential security risk, considering ADS-B is not only used for flight tracking but also air traffic control and collision avoidance?
Could a bad actor (using a drone, perhaps) broadcast a false signal and trick aircraft into performing collision avoidance manoeuvres? Or flood the ADS-B bandwidth with false signals to confuse ATC?
Yes. At which point, the pilots will see what is going on, take manual control, gather data for ATC's inevitable response, and use traditional instruments to navigate the airplane to a safe landing. Passengers would likely be unaware. In the United States, a report would subsequently be filed with the ASRS.
Comments
"the RF message protocol used for most 'live' location stats in FlightRadar24, has no form of authentication."
I wonder if this is a potential security risk, considering ADS-B is not only used for flight tracking but also air traffic control and collision avoidance?
Could a bad actor (using a drone, perhaps) broadcast a false signal and trick aircraft into performing collision avoidance manoeuvres? Or flood the ADS-B bandwidth with false signals to confuse ATC?
Yes. At which point, the pilots will see what is going on, take manual control, gather data for ATC's inevitable response, and use traditional instruments to navigate the airplane to a safe landing. Passengers would likely be unaware. In the United States, a report would subsequently be filed with the ASRS.