The data potentially leaked by the viruses include stored email addresses, specification and operational information about the HTV, and system log-in information accessed from the computer, according to a JAXA news release.
With the end of the Space Shuttle program, vehicles like the HTV and similar Russian and European spacecraft have become vital to providing ISS astronauts with food, water, and other essential supplies.
The Japanese space agency first discovered a virus on the computer on Aug. 17, 2011, and took the computer offline while the virus was removed. However, the computer continued to be unstable and display “abnormalities”. Early this year, the agency found a second virus that had gathered information from the computer. It also discovered that the computer had sent out information sometime between July 6 and Aug. 11.
“Passwords for all accessible systems from the computer have been immediately changed in order to prevent any abuse of possibly leaked information, and we are currently investigating the scale of damage and the impact. Also, all other computer terminals are being checked for virus infections”, the agency explained.