Hackers' Next Target — Your Brain? 295
Hugh Pickens writes "Wired reports that as neural devices become more complicated — and go wireless — some scientists say the risks of 'brain hacking' should be taken seriously. '"Neural devices are innovating at an extremely rapid rate and hold tremendous promise for the future," said computer security expert Tadayoshi Kohno of the University of Washington. "But if we don't start paying attention to security, we're worried that we might find ourselves in five or 10 years saying we've made a big mistake."' For example, the next generation of implantable devices to control prosthetic limbs will likely include wireless controls that allow physicians to remotely adjust settings on the machine. If neural engineers don't build in security features such as encryption and access control, an attacker could hijack the device and take over the robotic limb." Relatedly, several users have written to tell us that science may be closer to the science fiction "mind wipe" than previously thought. Put this all together and I welcome the next step in social networking; letting the cloud drive my limbs around town via a live webcam and then wiping the memory from my brain. Who has MyLimb.com parked and is willing to deal?
Re:No... not buying this at all (Score:5, Insightful)
Okay, this only holds true IF we are truly biological machines with advanced programming. If we actually do have a soul, then this whole idea goes out the window (and a whole lot of other, much bigger problems come in).
I don't see how the soul comes into play here.
Correct me if I'm wrong (I have ZERO medical background), but throughout the years there have been examples of conditioned responses and hypnotism. Then there is shock therapy and some drugs to help wipe some thoughts and memories, and let's not forget about sleepwalking and sleepdriving.
If a person gets amnesia, does that mean the soul has left the body?
If a person sleepwalks due to a personal problem or a medication reaction, does that mean during that time there is no soul?
etc
Given enough time and advancement, who's to say that in 100 years that either a combination of the above couldn't take control of a person and wipe their memory afterwards. Especially once we start wiring hackable devices into our nervous system.
Re:Here's a question... (Score:1, Insightful)
If everyone could hack into any person's brain and have sex with whoever they want, then what kind of society would that be like?
A society of puppeteering sociopaths. Not too much different from what we have today, except that everybody would be equally powerful.
No matrix for me thankyou (Score:3, Insightful)
Which is why if/when direct brain IO is developed, you won't find me anywhere near it, unless I am in a situation where it is the only option to restore normal faculties (ie: injury or illness). Currently, when a power surge or an attack occurs against my device/computer the damage maxes out at the value of the device (assuming I'm backing up data). If a power surge or an attack occurs via a direct link hooked up to my brain, the damage is total.
That said, the article is still relevant because neuro-tech has great potential to increase the quality and length of life in ways currently not possible. As always, it's important to stop and think about the short/long term consequences of actions (novel thought).
Future FUD Fantastic (Score:4, Insightful)
Realistically, how hard would it be to include an OFF switch on the external interface used for doctor diagnostics?
I mean, for pete sake people, what possible gain would there be in trying to break into a mechanical leg?
Can you take any part of that to the bank? There is no money to follow. There is no information to gain.
Do you see anyone hacking your IP Oven, or you IP Coffee maker? http://workingmomwa.blogspot.com/2008/06/coffee-maker-needs-security-update.html [blogspot.com]
How does an interface to a prosthetic limb somehow suggest a "mine whipe". Does my pedicure predict a lobotomy?
Come on, people. There is some fool snickering somewhere that the drunken brainstorm he posted somewhere has actually morphed into a story on Slashdot.
Re:Future FUD Fantastic (Score:4, Insightful)
What money is there in vandalism? None.
The answer of your question of why anybody would do this: because they can.
Re:No... not buying this at all (Score:3, Insightful)
Why would you believe in souls? Where does the program go when you turn it off? That great hard drive in the sky?
Re:Future FUD Fantastic (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:No... not buying this at all (Score:2, Insightful)
Actually , i don't believe a soul is anything physical . It's has nothing to do with memories.
You remember , because of your physical brain , but you are , because of your soul.
Re:Don't need electronics to hack someones brain (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Don't need electronics to hack someones brain (Score:4, Insightful)
Actually, they do not.
Only in a few states do the stores have some limited rights to detain you, and that is ONLY if they suspect you have shoplifted something, and they had better make damned they know you have or you can sue them pretty badly.
I don't put up with that receipt thing anywhere, with the exception of Sam's Club. I do believe I signed on the membership agreement (private club) that I would allow this. But any other public place, even if they post a sign on the store saying this policy, does not give them the right to stop you if you are not under suspicion of theft.
I walked out of Guitar Center awhile back, and the kid was almost coming after me "I have to check your receipt"...etc. I just kept walking and over my shoulder said, "No you do not, unless you suspect me of stealing something"...and with that said, he quickly shut up and went back inside. I wasn't a smartass about it, just calmly stated the facts and went about my way.
Re:No... not buying this at all (Score:4, Insightful)
I am not saying people can't have souls, I am just saying the soul doesn't control our body.
Re:Future FUD Fantastic (Score:4, Insightful)
Notoriety..?
"Oh, that guy, he's the one designed that prosthetic limb worm... You know, the virus that made prosthetic limbs wiggle around?"
This has existed for years (Score:2, Insightful)
it's called advertising.
Re:Don't need electronics to hack someones brain (Score:2, Insightful)
And of course, the concept of dignity is likely the result of some programming.
Future? (Score:2, Insightful)
Your brain has been hacked since birth. It's called "Marketing". Tons and tons of exploits in the wild, including appeals to Emotion, Manipulation of Statistics, Lying to the Gullible, Threats Against Afterlife, Us or Them, etc, etc. Unfortunately, although a security suite is supposed to be installed during adolescence, too many are ineffective copies of Public Education or have installation prevented by previous installations of Sunday School and Parental Brainwashing.
Re:No... not buying this at all (Score:1, Insightful)
You speak very authoritatively about something that you surely don't know for certain.
Don't we all ? Besides - if there is anything I am certain of, it is that I have a mind/soul. When I post here - it's a choice made by me and I am aware of it happening.
I only ASSUME that other people MIGHT also have minds. There is no way I can verify that. Just like there is no way to prove that there even exists a physical world that I cannot reduce to things I experience (let alone the assumption that there is a world 1* that I don't experience at the moment 2* that I have never experienced 3* that I can't experience). Perhaps it's just me and a world put before my mind's eyes. Who knows ?
You know what ? Call me crazy but there was some kind of a mental splinter in my mind since I was about four years old. I was told that the world I live in is deterministic, yet there was SOMETHING that I could NEVER reduce to chemical reactions and laws of thermodynamics. Of course, for the longest time, I wasn't even able to express it properly (and it's difficult to get answers when you don't know what the question is). Now I know.
Why are you yourself ? Why are you self-aware ?
If there is a thing we call "gravity" it works the same way everywhere at any time. To different degrees but in exactly the same way. Why the hell am I only experiencing things from a single perspective ? Why is there only a single body I control ?
Death is when my consciousness is extinguished - if I were only a machine, I wouldn't have ever existed [wikipedia.org] at all.
Re:No... not buying this at all (Score:3, Insightful)
So exactly what part of this would the "soul" prevent from taking place?
Re:No... not buying this at all (Score:1, Insightful)
I disagree. Fortunately, since you don't have any proof beyond "I feel" I can smirk my way out of here.
You want proof ? Stop for a moment and focus on your mind. You'll feel as if a mirror was to reflect itself. Choose to think about something and then realize that you are conscious of yourself thinking it. Perform an action and see that you both controlled it and received the feedback.
If you're still not convinced - imagine two bodies doing the same thing. One of them is aware of doing it, while the other is simply a machine that is performing the said actions as a part of its program. What is the difference between the two ? It's that "you" could only be one of them - the one that is conscious. Otherwise - there would be no "you" (no person/mind/soul) to speak of.
The funny thing is - both bodies would act exactly the same on the outside. You have no way of determining which is conscious. Yet - you can be SURE that YOU are.
Reducing our minds to our brains is ridiculous. Reducing our minds to the ACTIVITY of our brains is even more absurd (as I like to put it: "it's like mistaking the blinking of a LED with the activity of a hard drive"). If it was possible to prove that our consciousness has a cause and is deterministic in a rigid way - it would be an epiphenomena. It would be like watching a film while being lied to that everything we see is caused by us. At this point - you have to ask yourself: what's the point ? There is no way this could help the Almighty Evolution. Acting AS IF having a mind does. Being AWARE of one's actions doesn't help a bit.
Re:Don't need electronics to hack someones brain (Score:2, Insightful)
Gas costs about $2.50 right now, which has nothing to do with the 1981 peak. The graph is a year out of date.
Re:Encryption (Score:1, Insightful)
Hackers are already hacking your brain. We call it "social engineering" and it's been discussed here before. That said, I would be more concerned about the con artists, sales reps and others who want to hack your brain.