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.

[...]

Some might question why anyone would want to hack into someone else’s brain, but the researchers say there’s a precedent for using computers to cause neurological harm. In November 2007 and March 2008, malicious programmers vandalized epilepsy support websites by putting up flashing animations, which caused seizures in some photo-sensitive patients.

“It happened on two separate occasions,” said computer science graduate student Tamara Denning, a co-author on the paper. “It’s evidence that people will be malicious and try to compromise peoples’ health using computers, especially if neural devices become more widespread.”

[...]

Despite the risks, Kohno said, most new devices aren’t created with security in mind. Neural engineers carefully consider the safety and reliability of new equipment, and neuroethicists focus on whether a new device fits ethical guidelines. But until now, few groups have considered how neural devices might be hijacked to perform unintended actions. This is the first time an academic paper has addressed the topic of “neurosecurity,” a term the group coined to describe their field.

“The security and privacy issues somehow seem to slip by,” Kohno said. “I would not be surprised if most people working in this space have never thought about security.”

Wonderful, wonderful. Never thought about security? Ugh. And note that here, the article is solely concerned about hacking from malicious outsiders. But what about malicious manufacturers?

Imagine, for example, a neural prosthetic that is linked into the pleasure and pain centers. Couldn’t a device that had an ostensibly legitimate function also have a classified function? Like, for instance, causing mild discomfort when considering a competitor’s product?

I personally think that the potential hazards of brain-neural interfaces should cause people pause over pursuing the technology. Of course, it’s going to continue apace anyway.

- With the right algorithm, identity thieves can determine your Social Security Number from your date of birth.

- Fantasy reading suggestions from Orson Scott Card.

- Another 2012 GOP Presidential contender should probably think twice about running.

- What do you mean by ordinary American, anyway?

Political operatives descended on Alaska last August, digging for dirt. The ethics law I championed became their weapon of choice. Over the past nine months I’ve been accused of all sorts of frivolous ethics violations - such as holding a fish in a photograph, wearing a jacket with a logo on it, and answering reporters’ questions.

Every one - all 15 of the ethics complaints have been dismissed. We’ve won! But it hasn’t been cheap - the State has wasted THOUSANDS of hours of YOUR time and shelled out some two million of YOUR dollars to respond to “opposition research” - that’s money NOT going to fund teachers or troopers - or safer roads. And this political absurdity, the “politics of personal destruction” … Todd and I are looking at more than half a million dollars in legal bills in order to set the record straight.

Palin’s attorney releases this:

In an extraordinary four-page letter Alaska-based attorney Thomas Van Flein warns of severe consequences should speculation that until now has largely been confined to blogs — about whether Palin embezzled funds in the construction of a Wasilla, Alaska, sports arena — find its way into print.

“This is to provide notice to Ms. Moore, and those who republish the defamation, such as Huffington Post, MSNBC, The New York Times and The Washington Post, that the Palins will not allow them to propagate defamatory material without answering to this in a court of law,” Van Flein warned, citing Alaska liberal blogger Shannyn Moore.

Really?

A single mega-colony of ants has colonised much of the world, scientists have discovered.

Argentine ants living in vast numbers across Europe, the US and Japan belong to the same interrelated colony, and will refuse to fight one another.

The colony may be the largest of its type ever known for any insect species, and could rival humans in the scale of its world domination.

Fascinating stuff there.

No, I mean ever.

In fact, come to think of it, I’m pretty sure this article was written by someone who has never actually met a gay person.

Also, AIs that are programmed to sell viagra and online poker? Terrifying…

Now, during the Iranian protests, it appears that the most common complaint about Obama is that he hasn’t “spoken forcefully enough” to the point where many conservatives are echoing this claim of Melanie Phillips:

What a disgrace that this man is leader of the free world; and at such a point in history. If he had put America stoutly behind the protesters and championed them against the regime, by now they might have toppled it.

Yes, you’ve got that right. During the campaign, Obama’s rhetorical skills were meaningless and couldn’t accomplish anything. But when it comes to Iran, Obama is such a compelling speaker that if he just said the right things, the protesters would magically become bullet and club proof and topple Khameni once and for all!

S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford arrived in the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport this morning, having wrapped up a seven-day visit to Buenos Aires, Argentina, he said. Sanford said he had not been hiking along the Appalachian Trail, as his staff said in a Tuesday statement to the media.

Sanford’s whereabouts had been unknown since Thursday, and the mystery surrounding his absence fueled speculation about where he had been and who’s in charge in his absence. His emergence Wednesday ended the mystery.

So, that wraps that up, then.