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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."

19 of 393 comments (clear)

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

    just plain stupid

    1. Re:stupid by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      It is quite scary actually. This proves many things.

      1. Flesh is not a valid software firewall. We need upgrades.
      2. The human body can't fight off computer viruses with our immune system.
      3. His body didn't alert him of the virus. No fever or any symptom.

      I, for one, am quite scared of these recent events. How can you discount him so easily? If I get a pace maker and someone is able to root it - how will I know?

    2. 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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    3. Re:stupid by mwvdlee · · Score: 5, Funny

      He should have just stuck a USB stick up his ass.

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    4. Re:stupid by Lumpy · · Score: 5, Funny

      Exactly..

      Look I cut open a cat and inserted a wifi router... CATS CAN CONNECT TO WIFI!!!!

      Can I be a scientist? It seems I meet the qualifications.

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    5. 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?

    6. Re:stupid by D'Sphitz · · Score: 5, Funny

      Prior art, I do this all the time.

    7. Re:stupid by camperdave · · Score: 5, Funny

      Was this your fifth cat, or was it Cat 6?

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    8. Re:stupid by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      It's the University of Reading. So, yes.
      This dude works directly under Captain Cyborg himself.

    9. Re:stupid by L4t3r4lu5 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Blue Face of Death.

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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.

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    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. I infected a computer with a virus by MacroSlopp · · Score: 5, Funny

    If we're looking for firsts....
    I once had a cold and sneezed on my keyboard.
    Does that make me the first human to infect a computer???

  6. 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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  7. Re:How is this human to computer? by thePowerOfGrayskull · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Scientist" is retard. Loosing his funding would be the best thing that could happen to him.

    One would think if his funding were loosed, he'd be quite happy.

  8. 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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  9. And for his next trick... by malice · · Score: 5, Funny

    And for his next trick, Dr Mark Gasson will insert an Atari 2600 controller into his anus, and proceed to control a Windows PC's mouse cursor with it. This is the first time a human has ever taken over control of a computer with the twitching of their rectal wall, and demonstrates the need for anal computer security.

    All hail scientific achievement.