GPS spoofing is defined as which of the following?

• A. Deliberate manipulation of GPS signals to mislead receivers.
• B. Normal GPS signal fluctuations due to atmosphere.
• C. A type of weather phenomenon.
• D. A method to enhance GPS accuracy.

Answer: (C)

GPS spoofing means deliberately creating or transmitting counterfeit GPS signals (or distorting real ones) to mislead a receiver and cause it to compute a false position, velocity, or time. This is not a natural GPS issue caused by the atmosphere, which leads to random, typically smaller errors that receivers are designed to compensate for. It’s also not a weather phenomenon, nor a technique to improve GPS accuracy. Spoofing differs from jamming in that spoofing aims to appear legitimate enough for the receiver to accept it, guiding navigation off course rather than simply blocking signals. In aviation, recognizing spoofing is critical, and defenses include cross-checking with inertial sensors, using authenticated signals where available, and monitoring for inconsistencies in satellite data.