Mediaboss Marketing

November 9, 2012, 5:49 AM PST

Takeaway: The difference between a biological virus and a computer virus is blurring. Learn how a researcher infected himself with a computer virus.

A few years ago, I worked on a series about computer malware. I wish I could say the articles were a hit because of my herculean effort, but I cant. That honor goes to the incredible member discussions particularly the ones discussing similarities between malware propagation and how we humans spread our maladies.

Another article Ive written that garnered much the same interest looked at how computer scientists were able to enhance digital communications by replicating neural networks discovered strangely enough in fruit flies. Lead scientist, Dr. Ziv Bar-Joseph:

Biological systems address many challenges presented by computer networking. For instance, biological processes are often distributed, as are communication systems used by computers. Thus, I believe, solutions for many computer-network problems can be based on what we learn from biological systems.

My interest in this subject may not be as lofty as Mr. Einstein and his desire to explain the entire universe using one equation. But, Im starting to see signs that the convergence between biology and digital electronics is impacting computer security. Something I do consider important. So, when I stumbled across a web page asking, Could you become infected with a Computer Virus, I had to check it out.

After watching the TEDxTalk associated with the webpage, I was somewhat disappointed. The title is technically correct, but not what I had envisioned or so I thought. The talk starts out with Dr. Mark Gasson, senior research fellow at University of Reading, explaining how he inserted a RFID chip under the skin between his thumb and first finger.

Next, Dr. Gasson discussed several useful functions he programmed into the RFID device:

Heres where the talk got interesting. After the RFID implant was in place, Dr. Gasson was able to infect it with a virus. And more importantly, infect (replicate the virus) other devices:

We did two experiments: one with the computer system securing building access using smart card or RFID devices. We infected that computer with a virus. The computer was able to transfer the virus to the implant when I tried to gain access.

Read the original:
The convergence of biological and computer viruses