Scientists from several US universities intercepted unencrypted broadcast through geostationary satellites using only off-the-shelf equipment on a university rooftop. Geostationary satellites move at the same speed as the Earth’s rotation so it seems as though they are always above the same exact location. To maintain this position, they orbit at an altitude of roughly 22,000 miles (36,000 kilometers). This makes them ideal for relaying phone calls, text messages, and internet data. Since these satellites can cover vast areas—including remote and hard-to-reach areas—they provide reliable connectivity for everything from rural cell towers to airplanes and ships, even where cables don’t reach. That same stability makes them convenient for people who want to eavesdrop, because you only need…