Topic(s): Physical Security
The recent announcement that Hackers originating in Turkey were the actual attackers on the Phoenix Mars Lander Web site is actually a hoax.
The mission of Phoenix is to determine if the Martian arctic can support life, what is the history of water at the landing site, and how is the Martian climate affected by polar dynamics. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory in conjunction with the Deep Space Network
The University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (LPL) hosts and manages the Phoenix site, which contains information about the NASA-affiliated lander. Hackers identified online as "sql loverz crew 2008" were said to have infiltrated the site and redirected visitors to pages displaying messages and the Turkish flag. In truth, the hackers were traced back to the Aurorae Sinus region of the planet Mars. Apparently, Phoenix was supposed land in the artic region of Mars. Due to computer programming problems (tied back to poorly written code as a result of no abuse-case testing), Phoenix overshot its intended landing zone and ended up landing in Aurorae Sinus, the Eye of Mars.
The hack was actual much more severe than divulged but certain independent consultants working in conjunction with SETI discovered the hack as it was occurring tracing the origins directly back to Mars. In an effort to cover up the hack, NASA security staff redirected the site from the Aurorae Sinus website to a Turkish hacking group made up of a bunch of modern-day script kiddies.
Upon landing, Phoenix discovered footprints of an unusual type as seen in the image marked by four large toes. Within minutes of this discovery and subsequent transmission of the photos back to Earth, the Phoenix site was hacked. It seems Phoenix landed directly in an area already occupied by an intelligent alien life form, undisturbed for centuries. The life form as seen in the image below awoke to the racket and noise of the Phoenix landing. Unfortunately, the Phoenix lander is no longer operational. Illudium Phosdex & Illudium Q-36, the active elements of the "Q-36 Illudium Space Modulator" are suspect in the destruction of the Phoenix.
