Kind Regards,
On Mon, Jul 26, 2010 at 11:37 AM, michael wambua
<m80mig@gmail.com> wrote:
A scientist at the University of Reading has become the first person
in the world to be infected by a computer virus.
Dr Mark Gasson, from the School of Systems Engineering, contaminated a
computer chip which had been inserted into his hand as part of
research into human enhancement and the potential risks of implantable
devices.
These results could have huge implications for implantable computing
technologies used medically to improve health, such as heart
pacemakers and cochlear implants, and as new applications are found to
enhance healthy humans.
Dr Gasson says that as the technology behind these implants develops,
they become more vulnerable to computer viruses.
"Our research shows that implantable technology has developed to the
point where implants are capable of communicating, storing and
manipulating data," he said. "They are essentially mini computers.
This means that, like mainstream computers, they can be infected by
viruses and the technology will need to keep pace with this so that
implants, including medical devices, can be safely used in the
future."
Dr Gasson will present his results next month at the IEEE
International Symposium on Technology and Society in Australia, which
he is also chairing.
A high-end Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip was implanted
into Dr Gasson's left hand last year. Less sophisticated RFID
technology is used in shop security tags to prevent theft and to
identify missing pets.
The chip has allowed him secure access to his University building and
his mobile phone. It has also enabled him to be tracked and profiled.
Once infected, the chip corrupted the main system used to communicate
with it. Should other devices have been connected to the system, the
virus would have been passed on.
Dr Gasson said: "By infecting my own implant with a computer virus we
have demonstrated how advanced these technologies are becoming and
also had a glimpse at the problems of tomorrow.
"Much like people with medical implants, after a year of having the
implant, I very much feel that it is part of my body. While it is
exciting to be the first person to become infected by a computer virus
in this way, I found it a surprisingly violating experience because
the implant is so intimately connected to me but the situation is
potentially out of my control.
"I believe it is necessary to acknowledge that our next evolutionary
step may well mean that we all become part machine as we look to
enhance ourselves. Indeed we may find that there are significant
social pressures to have implantable technologies, either because it
becomes as much of a social norm as say mobile phones, or because
we'll be disadvantaged if we do not. However we must be mindful of the
new threats this step brings."
--
Michael Wambua
+254 712710697
info@michaelwambua.com
www.michaelwambua.com
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