British Scientist Infects Self with Computer Virus to Prove a Point
British Scientist Infects Self with Computer Virus to Prove a Point
Posted 05/26/2010 at 2:55pm
| by Ryan Whitwam
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We are eagerly anticipating a future of neural implants that can form brain-computer links, but one British scientist is out to bring us down. Mark Gasson has become the first human be infected with a computer virus. This feat was accomplished with small RFID chip Gasson had implanted in his hand. In the experiment, the virus infected chip was able to pass the infection to other devices, thus propigating much like biological viral vectors.
This proof on concept is of concern as a future of implantable devices is coming on fast. Various medical devices could be infected with viruses that then spread to other people. The idea is scary to be sure. People put up with computer viruses and security holes, but what can we do if the threat has the ability to cause real harm? Before you know it, we'll be reviewing Norton 360 Bio-Implant Edition.
So will you one of the cyborgs of the future, or is the whole idea too creepy?
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Mighty BOB!
May 29, 2010 at 10:45pm
New episodes in June on Comedy Central! Hypno-toad commands you to watch!
Personally I think the cyborg revolution can't come soon enough. :P
Fefe
May 27, 2010 at 12:37am
Well...this isn't good for people implanted with medical devices. Get into the wrong hands, this could be bad news.
Keith E. Whisman
May 26, 2010 at 7:38pm
The next injection of course is a Fresh installation of Malware Bytes to take care of the virus.
Keith E. Whisman
May 26, 2010 at 7:37pm
Ok that is just freaking awesome. I want to be injected with the I Love You virus or even the classic Michelangelo virus from back in the day. Michelangelo virus only affected your computer on March 6 of each year. So if you weren't sure if your computer was clean all you had to do was change the date in your bios to March 7 on March 5 before midnight.
Biceps
May 26, 2010 at 4:19pm
Go read the Night's Dawn Trilogy by Peter F. Hamilton, and you would be hard pressed not to be worried about implanting a computer/chip/device in your eye/body/head. It is also an excellent series.
Perhaps the best way to make sure that some jerk doesn't hack your pacemaker is to pass on the 'total connectivity package' that comes as an optional add-on. If you just can't stand to not be able to adjust your new heartbeat 'conviently, anytime, anyplace, through any WIFI connection!', then perhaps you will have to deal with the sickos who will inevitably make a virus to hack your spanking-new implantable device.
Good rule to live by: Don't be stupid.
aviaggio
May 26, 2010 at 4:08pm
I don't understand this. All he did was prove a chip can transit a signal thru skin. Well duh, how is this something new?
Vegan
May 26, 2010 at 6:17pm
What if that chip controls the beating of your heart, or any other number of medical functions, in the future? Bio-terrorism is the point.
Caboose
May 27, 2010 at 9:25am
The Laughing Man anyone? (GITS)
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
I Jedi
May 26, 2010 at 3:10pm
To put my comment plainly: http://static.funnyjunk.com/pictures/loligee.png
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