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Scientist Infects Self With Computer Virus

Posted by samzenpus on from the norton-antiseptic dept.

superapecommando writes "A British scientist claims to have become the first human to be infected by a computer virus, in an experiment he says has important implications for the future of implantable technology. Dr Mark Gasson from the University of Reading infected a computer chip with the virus, then implanted it in his hand and transmitted the virus to a PC to prove that malware can move between human and computer."

12 of 393 comments (clear)

  1. stupid by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    just plain stupid

    1. Re:stupid by commodore64_love · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Agree. Transmitting from a chip to PC or vice-versa, is no big deal. The fact he put it inside his body doesn't alter that ability.

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    2. Re:stupid by homey+of+my+owney · · Score: 5, Insightful

      While I applaud your use of the cat, I think we need to ask the larger question: Was this guy institutionalized?

    3. Re:stupid by feldicus · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Ye gods, I've got one even scarier.

      Let's assume, for a moment, that we will one day see an implantable device that acts as a "mechanical kidney". What I'm imagining is something similar to my cousin's ileostomy (he has Crohn's Disease), in which one kidney is replaced with a filtering device that either dumps waste into an externally connected bag, or holds it in a surgically implanted reservoir until it can be emptied. Something that complicated would almost certainly need some level of control, and I'm sure there are a thousand and one things that could be analyzed in real time.

      "Mr. Pratt, this is Packmonger Insurance calling to inform you that your payment is officially past due. Per the terms of your plan's contract, we are reducing your blood filtration rate by 10%. This is enough of a decrease to cause low-risk symptoms of renal failure, without irreparably damaging your other major organs. Please consider your impending itching, joint aches, and/or increased urination an incentive to pay on time in the future. Thank you, and have a wonderful day."

    4. Re:stupid by Actually,+I+do+RTFA · · Score: 4, Insightful

      He caught a computer virus, as evidenced from the ability to infect another computer. However, he is far from the first. I sneezed on a keyboard, my friend used the keyboard, and later he sneezed on his keyboard. Using the scientist's criteria, that makes it a computer virus (can transmit from one computer to another). I was infected with my cold over two decades ago, and I doubt I was the first.

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  2. epic fail by timmarhy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    this sounds like that cyborg man retard from a few years ago.

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  3. stupid by afitz2 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    OK that's pretty stupid.

  4. Proves nothing by Attila+Dimedici · · Score: 5, Insightful

    All he showed was that a computer virus can be transmitted from an implanted computer to an external computer. The scientist did not infect himself with a computer virus, he infected a chip that he had implanted in himself. If it is news to you that a computer chip implanted in a person can be infected with a computer virus, then this is the wrong board for you.

    --
    The truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted. James Madison
    1. Re:Proves nothing by pete-classic · · Score: 5, Insightful

      As Tyler Durden said, "Sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken."

      -Peter

  5. What exactly was this meant to demonstrate? by Vekseid · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Or was the good doctor merely going after being 'first' at something?

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  6. Not quite an infection yet by Drakkenmensch · · Score: 4, Insightful

    We're still far off from GITS's brain hacking. His biological functions remain entirely unaffected, as he is merely carrying the infected chip with him. Effectively, he might as well just be keeping a passcard with an infected smartchip in his wallet, the result would be the same.

  7. Bigger implications... by coolmoose25 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I agree with everyone that this demonstration was stupid... But the bigger question here deserves to be discussed - implanted devices CAN be infected with viruses, and we have to be careful about that... Implanted devices are becoming more and more common - it's not just pacemakers anymore. There was an article in Wired recently about the drive to create a "smart" insulin pump, one that would sense your blood sugar level and then adjust insulin delivery accordingly. This will become more and more common as we apply technology to "curing" disease... Keeping that technology virus free should be a high priority, especially as this technology gets integrated in more complex ways.

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