"Hacking Team and the Targeting of Ethiopian Journalists”

Ethiopian Satellite Television Service (ESAT) is an independent satellite television, radio, and online news media outlet run by members of the Ethiopian diaspora. The service has operations in Alexandria, Virginia, as well as several other countries. ESAT’s broadcasts are frequently critical of the Ethiopian Government.

Available in Ethiopia and around the world, ESAT has been subjected to jamming from within Ethiopia several times in the past few years.A recent documentary shown on Ethiopian state media warned opposition parties against participating in ESAT programming. In the space of two hours on 20 December 2013, an attacker made three separate attempts to target two ESAT employees with sophisticated computer spyware, designed to steal files and passwords, and intercept Skype calls and instant messages. The spyware communicated with an IP address belonging to Ariave Satcom, a satellite provider that services Africa, Europe, and Asia. In each case, the spyware appeared to be Remote Control System (RCS), sold exclusively to governments by Milan-based Hacking Team.