Scientist infects self with a computer virus

[6souls]

A British scientist says he is the first man in the world to become infected with a computer virus.

Dr Mark Gasson from the University of Reading contaminated a computer chip which was then inserted into his hand.

The device, which enables him to pass through security doors and activate his mobile phone, is a sophisticated version of ID chips used to tag pets.

In trials, Dr Gasson showed that the chip was able to pass on the computer virus to external control systems.

If other implanted chips had then connected to the system they too would have been corrupted, he said.

Medical alert

Dr Gasson admits that the test is a proof of principle but he thinks it has important implications for a future where medical devices such as pacemakers and cochlear implants become more sophisticated, and risk being contaminated by other human implants.

"With the benefits of this type of technology come risks. We may improve ourselves in some way but much like the improvements with other technologies, mobile phones for example, they become vulnerable to risks, such as security problems and computer viruses."

However, Dr Gasson predicts that wider use will be made of implanted technology.

"This type of technology has been commercialised in the United States as a type of medical alert bracelet, so that if you're found unconscious you can be scanned and your medical history brought up."

Professor Rafael Capurro of the Steinbeis-Transfer-Institute of Information Ethics in Germany told BBC News that the research was "interesting".

"If someone can get online access to your implant, it could be serious," he said.

Cosmetic surgery

Professor Capurro contributed to a 2005 ethical study for the European Commission that looked at the development of digital implants and possible abuse of them.

"From an ethical point of view, the surveillance of implants can be both positive and negative," he said.

"Surveillance can be part of medical care, but if someone wants to do harm to you, it could be a problem."

In addition, he said, that there should be caution if implants with surveillance capabilities started to be used outside of a medical setting.

However, Dr Gasson believes that there will be a demand for these non-essential applications, much as people pay for cosmetic surgery.

"If we can find a way of enhancing someone's memory or their IQ then there's a real possibility that people will choose to have this kind of invasive procedure."

Dr Gasson works at the University of Reading's School of Systems Engineering and will present the results of his research at the International Symposium for Technology and Society in Australia next month. Professor Capurro will also talk at the event.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/10158517.stm

[Qalbert]

http://i46.tinypic.com/6hufpz.jpg

[The_OG_Nelta]

my first thought as well rofl. This sounds like an amazing breakthrough

[The Stig]

Oh man and I thought he managed to enlarge his backdoor when I read this...

[kuronosan]

Well, Koch's postulates will have a field day with this one.

[Lucavi]

Jacking in to jack off?

BRILLIANT!

[Shenrien]

This is all very interesting, I hope they release such technology out to the public soon

The device, which enables him to pass through security doors and activate his mobile phone, is a sophisticated version of ID chips used to tag pets.

This alone could be amazing..

[kuronosan]

If you have a basic knowledge of dermipuncture or venipuncture you could do this yourself.

It wouldn't be healthy though, but it'd be pretty awesome to just go where you please by waving your hand.

Awesome breakthrough.

[Elvis]

http://media.comicmix.com/media/2008...-new-small.jpg

hay

[Deftscythe]

I don't understand why this is news. The implant technology has been around for a few years now and the idea that devices that are normally susceptible to viruses do not become immune to them simply because they're in a person is not exactly a huge logical leap.

[Melchiah]

I fail to see any wider implications here than just walking around with your Y2K bug or whatever on a USB dongle... one is implanted into the body, the other is not. In this case, the doctor was simply a "carrier" of the "disease".

The real issue here is malicious programmers having access to electronic implants that serve vital medical functions. It'd be pretty hard to plug into a pacemaker, and so long as we aren't wearing network-discoverable pacemakers, I fail to see any real lurking threat that cannot be dealt with via simple countermeasures.

[Dense]

http://www.bscreview.com/wp-content/.../snowcrash.jpg