Container ships easy to hack, track, send off course and even sink, security experts say

Pen Test Partners demonstrated that always-on satellite communications and lax onboard security enable attackers to compromise Cobham Fleet One terminals and escalate to ship networks, allowing manipulation of ECDIS and operational technology (via unauthenticated NMEA 0183 and firmware rollback) to alter navigation or control systems; researchers published proof-of-concept findings and a "vulnerable ship tracker" and privately disclosed more serious flaws to the vendor.