GLOBAL CHALLENGES

Headache? Cough? Maybe You`re Infected with a Computer Virus

Rebecca Kutzer-Rice | Date: 06-08-10 | Comments

A U.K. scientist has successfully infected himself with a computer virus. The results of his study have grave implications for pacemakers, cochlear implants and other medical technologies.

While most pandemics today typically involve viruses like influenza and HIV, computer viruses may cause the pandemics of the future. Mark Gasson, a scientist from the University of Reading in the U.K., has intentionally �infected� himself with a tainted computer chip implanted in his hand.

Dr. Gasson first had the radio frequency identification (RFID) chip embedded in his hand last year. RFID chips are a relatively well-known technology, widely used on merchandise tags to prevent thefts and on animals for tracking purposes. Such chips are also found inside medical bracelets, which provide identification for unconscious patients. Gasson�s chip, more advanced than basic tracking types, has several useful functions, including allowing him access to university buildings and unlocking his cell phone.

Tiny, implantable chips can harbor destructive computer viruses (source: BusinessWeek).

Because RFID chips have become so sophisticated, they are, according to Gasson, �essentially mini computers.� And like computers, these chips are easily infected with contagious software viruses. Once infected, Gasson�s chip spread the virus to the main system that communicated with it. Had other chips been connected to this system, they would have also contracted the virus.

About his experience with the infected chip, Dr. Gasson says:

"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."

Gasson admits that the study was a �proof of principle�; because the �infection� was staged, it had no actual negative effects. The implications of Gasson�s research are, however, noteworthy. Already, technological implants have widespread use in devices like pacemakers. Computer viruses targeting such machines could threaten the lives of many. Emphasizing the precautionary message of his study, Gasson says, �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.�