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Is SETI a Security Risk?

Posted by Hemos on from the a-whole-new-level-of-paranoia dept.

Dotnaught writes "Richard Carrigan, a particle physicist at the US Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Illinois, fears the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) may be putting the earth at risk. As reported in the Guardian, Carrigan frets that alien radio signals could pose a security risk. The report cites a 2003 paper entitled "Do potential Seti signals need to be decontaminated?" but Carrigan's website has more details. Basically, he's calling for isolation of SETI computers and additional security measures. He writes, "To paraphrase Cocconi and Morrison for the possibility of a malevolent SETI signal ...the probability of a contaminated SETI signal is difficult to estimate; but if we never consider it the chance of infection is not zero."" Frankly, I'm more worried about some phishing malcontent then I am about the Grays, but maybe that's just me.

6 of 527 comments (clear)

  1. They're thinking all wrong. by Phae · · Score: 5, Funny

    I've seen this movie, but it's the other way around. We're the ones that upload the virus to the aliens, not them to us... don't be silly.

  2. You can thank me for this information by WormholeFiend · · Score: 5, Funny

    As official Earth contactee for the benevolent Betelgeuse civilization, I have been told to warn you that the evil Andromedans are using the SETI program to keep a fresh list of potential abductees for nefarious experiments.

    They also recently developped antitinfoil penetration technology, so those of you who are using this means of protection are now vulnerable.

    These beings will stop at nothing to get to the bottom of your colon!

    Consider yourselves warned.

  3. Does this give new meaning to the phrase.... by isa-kuruption · · Score: 5, Funny

    Does this give new meaning to the phrase: HACK THE PLANET ???

  4. An Open Letter by pete-classic · · Score: 5, Funny

    Dear Richard Carrigan,

    You keep doing particle Physics, and we'll keep doing Computer Science.

    Love,
    The Computer Scientists

  5. ..and also psychic. by jferris · · Score: 5, Funny
    Assuming attacks on only 32 bit Windows OSes, if an attack would occur today, it could only have originated from within a range of ten light years. An attack from further out would have required that it be launched before Windows 95 was.

    There really is no need for remote infiltration of the OS, since high school students have been doing it for years. Why would first (acknowledged) contact be to give a virus to Windows users? It is like pouring salt in the ocean.

    --
    You are in a maze of little twisting passages, all different.
  6. Re:Chicken and Egg. by 6*7 · · Score: 5, Funny

    "It's like if the Romans built a huge wall and said "That will keep out anyone. It's not possible to breach it." Using our technology, which is 2000 years more advanced, (less, actually) we could fly an B2 bomber over the city and drop a couple 2000 pound bombs."

    IIRC the Great Wall's effects expires with the discovery of metallurgy.