Kaspersky Lab: As the "Internet of Things"Evolves and goes on stage"Internet of Us", Kaspersky Lab, a leading provider of security solutions, works with BioNyfiken, a Swedish Biography-hacking community, in order to reveal what is really true in relation to the possible interconnectedness of the human body with the Internet.
Ενώ κάποτε η έννοια του «διασυνδεδεμένου» σώματος περιοριζόταν στα χολιγουντιανά blockbuster και στα μυθιστορήματα επιστημονικής φαντασίας, σήμερα, όλο και αυξάνεται ο αριθμός των ανθρώπων που έχουν «αναβαθμιστεί» με τη βοήθεια της τεχνολογίας. Χάρη στην εφεύρεση και την ευρεία υιοθέτηση εμφυτεύσιμων βοηθημάτων, όπως οι βηματοδότες, οι αντλίες ινσουλίνης, τα headphones βαρηκοΐας και τα συστήματα για εν τω βάθη εγκεφαλική διέγερση, ο κόσμος γεμίζει με ανθρώπους οι οποίοι θα μπορούσαν να θεωρηθούν ως εν μέρει μηχανές.
However, recent reports to the media describe a new kind of "upgraded people" who implant technology in their bodies not for medical reasons but simply for greater ease in their daily routine. They are people with "smart implants" that help them control door locks, make purchases and access computer systems with a simple shake of their hands. In this case, the following questions arise: When do we allow our body to contain increasing amounts of personal data that can be intercepted by hackers? Is there really a reason for concern?
Η BioNyfiken, μία bio-hacking κοινότητα με έδρα τη Sweden, ηγείται της Missionς για ομαλοποίηση του φαινόμενου αυτού, γνωστού ως “chipping”, με στόχο να το καταστήσει πιο προσιτό στις μάζες. Η άποψή τους είναι ότι ένα έξυπνο, υποδερμικό εμφύτευμα δεν διαφέρει τόσο πολύ από το να φοράει κάποιος ένα earring or have a tattoo. They also believe that more and more people will choose to use NFC (wireless near field communication) type implants, which will contain a range of information.
Ο Patrick Mylund Nielsen, Senior Security Researcher της Kaspersky Lab, σχολίασε: «Η βασική τάση στον τομέα του “Internet of Things” ήταν να δημιουργούνται προϊόντα που διατίθενται γρήγορα στην αγορά. Η ασφάλεια αποτελεί συχνά δεύτερη σκέψη, ενώ μερικές φορές δεν αποτελεί ζήτημα για κάποιους. Μάλιστα, παρότι η βιοπροσθετική τεχνολογία έχει υπάρξει βασικό θέμα για την επιστημονική φαντασία, λίγες είναι οι ιστορίες που ασχολούνταν με τις επιπτώσεις της στην καθημερινότητα. Τι συμβαίνει όταν τα ιδιωτικά κλειδιά μας βρίσκονται κάτω από το δέρμα μας; Μπορεί κάποιος να γίνει ένα δικό μου «εικονικό αντίγραφο»μέσω μιας απλής χειραψίας; Μπορεί κάποιος να με ακολουθεί όπου κι αν πηγαίνω; Η λέξη "nyfiken" σημαίνει "περίεργος" στα Σουηδικά και όταν πρόκειται για τις απαντήσεις στα ερωτήματα αυτά, είμαστε πράγματι περίεργοι να μάθουμε τι συμβαίνει!».
For his part, Hannes Sjoblad, one of the founders of BioNyfiken, said: "Technology is already a reality! We are seeing a fast-growing community of people experimenting with chip implants that allow users to perform various day-to-day tasks quickly and easily, such as access to buildings, unlocking personal devices without PIN, and access to various types of stored data. I consider the take-off of this technology as yet another important moment in the history of human-computer interaction, similar to the release of the first Windows computer or the first touchscreen. Touch recognition is compatible with human nature. PINs and passwords on the contrary are not a natural process. And every extra device we need to have with us to be able to confirm our identity, such as key rings or electronic cards, is just another element that creates complexity in our lives. "
In completing, Mr. Sjoblad commented, "For this reason, we felt it was vital to work with a leading security specialist who really understands technology and can help us analyze the dangers. OR Kaspersky Lab is the ideal partner for BioNyfiken's research. Kaspersky Lab is not only a high-security security expert who is considered to be a leader but has been at the forefront of new technologies and cutting-edge research since its inception. We look forward to working with Kaspersky Lab specialists in an open research program to explore the vulnerabilities of these chips in everyday and human situations. If vulnerabilities are identified, we will of course have to find ways to address them. "
In addition to her research with BioNyfiken, Kaspersky Lab will co-organize events with the wider bio-hacking community in Sweden and across Europe, with the aim of putting security and privacy aspects on the agenda of the relevant discussion. There are already a number of hi-tech buildings in Sweden, such as Epicenter, which hosts progressive businesses, where NFC implants are regularly used for various activities, replacing some extra devices.
Eugene Kaspersky, Kaspersky Lab's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said: "Personally, I would prefer not to adopt chipping. However, I understand that technological progress can not be hindered and that there will be some pioneers who are ready to accept the risk of experiencing the boundaries of technology and experimenting in their own bodies. I would prefer to do so with their eyes open and putting high on the subject of security rather than confronting security as an after-thinking, as is often the case. "
Mr. Kaspersky concluded by noting: “For this reason, I am pleased that BioNyfiken has chosen us as a research partner into the potential security issues that may arise from connecting our bodies to the Internet. It is possible that our researchers will find no cause for concern, but if NFC-type chips are going to be implanted in people, I would like to be sure that our experts have fully explored all the implications."
