CJ625 Student Paper http://all.net/CID/Attack/papers/ElectronicInterference.

html

by Matt Hoffman

Electromagnetic radiation is both an enabler and byproduct of modern information technology. The vast
number of natural and man-made sources of electromagnetic radiation can, at times, emit signals that
interfere with the normal function of electronic devices. This paper will examine the effects of electronic
interference attacks by describing their sources, methods of action, and impacts on information systems.

Electromagnetic radiation is one form of energy characterized by its ability to transmit energy through
open spaces. Electromagnetic radiation exists on a spectrum ranging from low frequency, low energy
radio waves to high frequency, high energy gamma rays. While humans cannot directly sense many types
of electromagnetic radiation, we are all intimately familiar with two forms: visible light, which occupies a
small portion of the total spectrum, and heat, which originates from part of the infrared portion of the
spectrum. [1] Modern technologies such as televisions, radios, cordless telephones, satellites, and wireless
networking devices all utilize some form of electromagnetic radiation to transmit their signals from source
to receiver. Electromagnetic radiation can also be emitted as a byproduct of electrical current (e.g. power
transmission lines or any power-consuming device).

When unwanted electromagnetic energy disrupts the function of electronic devices, a condition known as
electronic interference (EI) arises. Depending upon the source, electronic interference can be categorized
as natural, incidental (man-made, but unintentional), or intentional (man-made and deliberate). Because
each type has the potential to disrupt the electronic signals that drive our information systems, all three
must be considered hazards to our information infrastructure. This paper will describe how electronic
interference can disrupt electronic systems by examining the sources and impacts of natural, incidental,
and intentional electronic interference.

In order for electronic interference to occur, there has to be a source of the interfering signal (an emitter),
a device that is susceptible to the emitted radiation (a "victim"), and enough physical proximity between
the two devices that allows them to share a common electromagnetic field. Two electronic devices that
interfere with each other are said to lack electromagnetic compatibility, meaning that the emitter device
produces interference on the same frequency that the victim device requires to operate. [2] The degree of
physical proximity is a function of both the power of the emitter device and the sensitivity of the victim
device. Two electronic devices may not have electromagnetic compatibility, yet if they are separated by a
sufficient distance they will not interfere with each other.

One way that EI can disrupt electronic devices is through bit corruption. In this method, EI of the right
frequency and power can alter individual bytes of data in an electronic transmission, causing the device
that interprets the data stream to read the wrong data. While in many cases electronic devices use error-
correction algorithms to reject corrupted data, if enough altered bytes are introduced or the error-

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correction system fails, the victim device will be flooded with false data. This may cause the device to
misinterpret the intended transmission or "lock up" because it cannot perform an invalid operation. [2]
Another example of bit corruption would be the introduction of EI that floods a transmission stream with a
large amount of extraneous data, preventing the receiver from distinguishing the real data from the
interference. [3] This technique has the same effect as bit alteration, and is commonly employed in
jamming technologies (see below).

Electronic interference can also disrupt power supplies in electronic components. This event, called
junction rectification, occurs when an interference signal interacts with the power semiconductors in an
electronic device. Interference signals of sufficient strength can disrupt the semiconductors responsible for
supplying a device with electricity, causing a shutdown of that circuit and of possibly the entire device. In
addition to corrupting power supplies, junction rectification can also cause bit corruption in an electronic
device. [2]

We are constantly surrounded by natural sources of electromagnetic radiation, some of which can act as
sources of electronic interference. In addition to disabling information systems through power outages,
lightning can also produce enough interference to temporarily disrupt communications. [4] The primary
source of natural EI, however, comes from the sun. [5] The earth is constantly bombarded by all types of
electromagnetic energy from the sun, and energy that is not filtered out by the atmosphere has the
potential of causing interference. Under normal circumstances, the energy from the sun is not great
enough to interfere with electronic equipment. However, solar flares (the release of magnetic energy on
the sun's surface [6]) can send enough electromagnetic energy to the earth to disrupt all types of electronic
devices on the sun-facing side of the earth. For example, in June 2000 a large solar flare disrupted several
telecommunications services in China [7], and in 1996 another solar flare caused a widespread outage of
shortwave radio services. [8] A particularly strong solar flare in March 1989 even disabled electrical
generators and transmission lines in Quebec, Ontario, leaving over six million people without electricity.
[9]

In addition to natural sources, electromagnetic interference can also arise from regular use of electronic
devices. Electrical interference can occur when the operation of certain electrical appliances causes
power fluctuations in electrical components (junction rectification). A television displaying static while a
hair dryer is in use is an example of this phenomenon. Also, any wire that carries electronic signals (e.g.
speaker wire, monitor cables, internal wiring, etc.) can transmit interference if its protective covering,
which prevents the signal from escaping the wire, is damaged. [10] Some electronic devices, such as
fluorescent lights and laptop computers, emanate a small electromagnetic field during regular use that may
interfere with nearby electronic equipment. Finally, signals from wireless devices such as mobile radios,
radar systems, and cellular phones can also cause electronic interference. [4]

Incidental EI is a major concern with both medical devices and airplane electronics. Hospitals today
contain hundreds of electronic devices that may not be electromagnetically compatible with each other.
The interference produced by these devices can do anything from simply flickering nearby video screens
to disrupting the function of life support systems. Between 1979 and 1993, the FDA received over 100
reports of equipment disruptions thought to be caused by EI. [11,12] Electronic interference has even
prompted some hospitals to ban the use of cellular phones and two-way radios in certain areas. [13]
Hospitals, however, are not the only place EI can affect medical equipment. In 1993, a Denver area man
was injured when his electric wheelchair malfunctioned and drove over the edge of a cliff, reportedly
because of EI from a nearby radio tower. [11,14] The FDA has also released advisories warning implant
patients about the effects of metal detectors, anti-theft devices, and cellular phones on their implants.

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[15,16]

Although relatively rare, electronic interference can also significantly disrupt information systems in
airplanes. Since 1976, electronic interference from passenger electronic devices has caused in-flight
disruptions at least 52 times in the US alone [17]. Airline passengers are routinely told to refrain from
using electronic devices during takeoff and landing because electromagnetic fields generated by such
devices can interfere with a plane's communication and navigation systems. There have been several
well-documented cases of personal electronic devices causing in-flight navigation problems [18,19,20].
Electronic interference is also thought to have been the cause of the 1996 TWA Flight 800 explosion off
of Long Island, NY that killed all 230 passengers and crew members on board. [21,22]

The third category of interference, and likely the one most important to information security professionals,
is intentional EI. Intentional EI, also known as jamming, involves the deliberate radiation, reradiation, or
reflection of electromagnetic energy in order to disrupt the function of electronic devices. [3] Jamming is
very similar to incidental EI, except that jamming employs more powerful transmitters to generate
electrical interference. These transmitters can broadcast interference over a broad range of
electromagnetic frequencies for general targets (barrage jamming) or over a narrow set of frequencies for
a specific target (spot jamming). [23]

Jamming is commonly utilized in military operations to disrupt enemy communication and radar systems.
Every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces has several pieces of mobile and stationary equipment capable of
emitting very powerful broadband and narrowband jamming signals. [24] Military aircraft also contain
jamming equipment to disable enemy radio transmissions and missile targeting systems. [25] Jamming
technology has played an important role in warfare since World War II; a role that is likely to increase in
future conflicts as military equipment becomes more reliant on electronic components. In the future,
non-lethal weapons that target only electronic devices may be used to disable enemy electronics. One
such weapon concept, the electromagnetic pulse (EMP) bomb, would be able to temporarily or
irreversibly disable all electronic devices in a given area by releasing a powerful discharge of
electromagnetic energy. Unlike nuclear weapons, which release electromagnetic energy as a byproduct of
their explosions, EMP bombs would be non-lethal and non-destructive means to disable electronic
systems. Although there has been no official confirmation of the existence of such a device, some defense
analysts have begun research and discussion about the subject. [26,27]

Civilian operation of any jamming device is currently prohibited in the United States [28] and over 140
other countries. [29] Although these laws have been in place for some time, the FCC still received over
1200 complaints of jamming in 1999 alone. [30] Jamming equipment can be built relatively cheaply by
anyone with some experience with radio equipment, and at least one online hacker journal provides
guidelines for building jamming devices. [31] Enforcement of anti-jamming laws can be difficult because
jamming transmitters can be difficult to locate without the proper equipment. Because tracking is difficult
and jamming technology is becoming cheaper and more mobile, new concerns have arisen over the use of
electronic jamming in terrorist actions against airliners or GPS systems [32,33]. Despite these concerns,
ironically, there has also been some discussion about legalizing jamming in certain public places (e.g.
movie theaters, libraries, etc.) to crack down on cellular phone disturbances. [34]

In summary, electronic interference can arise from a variety of sources and can significantly disrupt
unprotected electrical devices. Since each source of EI has the potential of causing damage to information
systems, information security personnel must consider each type of interference as an attack. Further
research into methods of reducing incidental electromagnetic emanations (e.g. better wire shielding

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materials) may decrease the amount of background EI present in the environment. Incorporating materials
that block electromagnetic energy into electronics designs can reduce the susceptibility of these devices to
interference. Since electronic interference is often hard to detect and link to equipment failures, new
detection technologies and experimental designs can help system engineers and administrators understand
the complex interactions among electronic devices. These steps may result in electronic interference
playing a lesser role in electronics equipment failure in the future.

[1]"Glossary: Electromagnetic Radiation & Electromagnetic Spectrum". Chandra X-Ray Observatory

Center website. Obtained online at http://chandra .harvard.edu/resources/em_radiation.html.
[2]"Electromagnetic interference: causes and concerns in the health care environment". Institute of
Biomedical Engineering Technology website. Obtained online at http://ibet.asttbc.org/emi.htm.
[3]United States Naval Air Warfare Center. "Glossary: Jamming". Electronic Warfare and Radar Systems
Engineering Handbook. Obtained online at https://ewhdbks.mugu.navy. mil/Glossary.htm.
[4]Safa Haddad. "Cutting out interference in electromagnetics". Malaysia Times. 2 Apr 1995. Science
section, p.34.
[5]"Natural sources of electromagnetic radiation: cosmic sources". York University Educational
ScienceNet website. Obtained online at http://resources.yesican.yorku.ca/trek/radiation/final/index_natu
ral_waves.html.
[6]Gordon Holman and Sarah Benedict. "What is a solar flare?". NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center
Laboratory for Astronomy and Physics website. Obtained online at http://hesperia.gsfc .nasa.gov/sftheory
/flare.htm.
[7]Wei Long. "Solarstorms impact China's telecom services". Spacedaily.com website. 15 Jun 2000.
Obtained online at http://www.spaceda ily.com/news/solarstorm-00f.html.
[8]Greg Clark. "X-rays from solar flare disrupt shortwave". Space.com website. 4 Aug 1999. Obtained
online at http://www.space.com/news/ solar_flare.html.
[9]"Huge storms on sun linked to blackout that crippled Quebec". The Toronto Star. 14 Mar 1989. News
section, p.A3.
[10]Federal Communications Commission. "Interference". U.S. FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs
Bureau website. Obtained online at http://www.fcc .gov/cgb/consumerfacts/interference.html.
[11]Rebecca D. Williams. "Keeping medical devices safe from electromagnetic interference". U.S. Food
and Drug Administration website. Obtained online at http://www.fda.gov/fdac/rep rints/emi.html.
[12]David W. Feigal, Jr. "FDA public health advisory: risk of electromagnetic interference with medical
telemetry systems". U.S. Food and Drug Administration website. Obtained online at http://www.fda.gov
/cdrh/sa fety/emimts.html.
[13]"Fearing electronic interference, more hospitals telling users of cellular phones to hang it up". Modern
Healthcare. 19 Jun 1995. p.90.
[14]Linda Castrone. "The night his wheelchair 'went berserk'". Denver Rocky Mountain News. 23 Jan
1995. Lifestyle/Spotlight section, Ed. F, p.3D.
[15]D. Bruce Burlington. "Important information on anti-theft and metal detector systems and
pacemakers, ICDs, and spinal cord stimulators". U.S. Food and Drug Administration website. Obtained
online at http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/s afety/easnote.html.
[16]U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Cellular phone interference: update on cellular phone
interference with cardiac pacemakers". U.S. FDA Center for Devices and Radiological Health website.
Obtained online at http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/emc/pac e.html.
[17]United States. "The Subcommittee on Aviation hearing on portable electronic devices: Do they really
pose a safety hazard on aircraft". U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure website. Obtained online at http://www.house.gov/transportation/aviation/hearing
/07-20-00/07- 20-00memo.html
[18]Peter Lalor and Adam Harvey. "Computer crash". The Daily Telegraph. 24 Sep 1998. Features
section, p.11.
[19]"Electronic gadgets caused navigation fright on KL planes". The Straits Times. 7 Aug 1994. Malaysia

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section, p.21.
[20]Dominic O'Connell. "Gameboy caused BA flight drama". Sunday Business. 14 Jan 2001. p.2.
[21]Chuck Taylor. "New theory arises on possible cause of crash: NTSB may be probing electromagnetic
interference". The Seattle Times. 16 Jul 1998. News section, p.A12.
[22]Chuck Taylor. "Boeing works on fuel-tank safety". The Seattle Times. 22 Aug 2002. News section,
p.A6.
[23]United States Marine Corps. "Communications security and electronic warfare". U.S.M.C. The Basic
School website. Obtained online at https://www.tbs.usmc.mil/Pages/Downloads/Student%20Handouts
/Comm/b2504 .rtf.
[24]Stephen M. Hardy and Zachery A. Zum. "No clear channels: the current state of communications
jamming". Journal of Electronic Defense. 16:1 (Jan 1993). p.31-36.
[25]Stephen Budiansky. "The weapons of the invisible battlefield; the U.S. has a big edge in electronic
warfare". U.S. News & World Report. 109:10 (10 Sep 1990). p.44.
[26]Carlo Kopp. "An introduction to the technical and operational aspects of the electromagnetic bomb".
Royal Australian Air Force Air Power Studies Centre. Obtained online at http://www.csse.monash.edu.au
/~carlo/archive/MILITARY/APSC/wp50-draft.p df.
[27]Ira W. Merritt. "Proliferation and significance of radio frequency weapons technology". Transcript of
testimony given before the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee. 25 Feb 1998. Obtained online at
http://www.house. gov/jec/hearings/radio/merritt.htm.
[28]U.S. Federal Communications Commission. "Operations: blocking and jamming". U.S. Federal
Communications Commission website. Obtained online at http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/broadbandpcs
/operations/blockingja mming.html
[29]U.S. Department of Defense Office of General Council. "International communications law". An
Assessment of International Legal Issues in Information Operations. May 1999. p.32-34. Obtained online
at http://www.terror ism.com/documents/dod-io-legal.pdf.
[30]U.S. Federal Communications Commission. "FCC handled over 1200 interference complaints from
federal, state, and local public safety and emergency officials". U.S. Federal Communications Commission
website. 22 Mar 1999. Obtained online at http://ftp.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Compliance/News_Releases
/1999/nrci9010.html .
[31]Professor Falken. "The Radar Guidebook". The LOD/H Technical Journal. Issue 4, File 3 of 10.
Obtained online at http://ww w.phreak.org/archives/underground/lod/LOD04-03.TXT.
[32]Knut Royce and Earl Lane. "Airborne electronic terrorism worries intelligence experts". Milwuakee
Journal Sentinel. 6 Oct 2002. News section, p.11A.
[33]"Battle against terrorists heightens GPS jamming worries". Satellite News. 24:39 (15 Oct 2001).
[34]Keri Allan. "Disturbing the peace". Electronic Engineering Times. 6 Aug 2001. Obtained online at
http://www. electronicstimes.com/features/OEG20010802S0001.

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