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

"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 had a chip inserted in his hand which was then infected with a virus."

I'm interested in this article because A) I became distracted from whatever point he was trying to make thanks to this dubious claim (presumably made by the scientist and not BBC) and B) I began thinking, what does it mean to say a human is infected with a computer virus? Where are the boundaries drawn? Because to me, this is just a piece of hardware that's infected with a virus and happens to be on his person, if in a slightly more invasive fashion than usual.

I'm sure Kevin Warwick is seething with jealousy, though.

Question is, how the hell did he get a virus on a chip in his body. What, is it wireless and can download and extract stuff? Sounds like bullshit.

This person thinks it's just scaremongering for media attention: http://www.sophos.com/blogs/gc/g/2010/05...ter-virus/

"... Aside from the problematic issues involved with how hackers would infect the RFID chips in the first place I think that's a pretty unlikely series of events."

And haha, that article mentions Warwick's from the same department? That's funny.

"... but the fact remains that it makes no difference if an RFID chip is implanted under your skin or stitched into the lining of your jacket."

Well, if a microwave or a cell phone can accidentally interfere with a pace maker, the deliberate act of doing it can be considered murder or attempted murder. The headlines would sensationalize it, but it's basic comes down to interfering with bodily functions leading to death.

Now, given the complexity of medical devices being implanted in patients, I'd take concern if a virus can impede such devices. Reminds me of a plot point in "Summer Wars" where a medical device's communication was likely hampered by a virus leading to a character's death.

(this is a rant)

Goddamn someone needs to punch this fool in the face.

1. If the chip has malicious code on it, then the chip is the only thing 'infected'.
2. A person doesn't run code and so cannot become infected with malicious code (a computer virus), in the same way a machine cannot catch a human virus because it's not a biological entity.
3. what a collection of f-ckwits! The only intelligent people here are the Sophos guys calling bullshit.

[Katsuo]

mistamark Wrote:Goddamn someone needs to punch this fool in the face.

In the future it will be possible to hack into someone's body and make them punch themself in the face.

Katsuo Wrote:

mistamark Wrote:Goddamn someone needs to punch this fool in the face.

In the future it will be possible to hack into someone's body and make them punch themself in the face.

too much GiTS