A particle physicist at the US Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory believes that SETI (the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence project) is putting the Earth at risk by distributing the signals received to computers all over the world. The risk is that aliens might use these signals to plant viruses in our computers.

In his report, entitled Do potential Seti signals need to be decontaminated?, he suggests the Seti scientists may be too blase about finding a signal. “In science fiction, all the aliens are bad, but in the world of science, they are all good and simply want to get in touch.” His main concern is that, intentionally or otherwise, an extra-terrestrial signal picked up by the Seti team could cause widespread damage to computers if released on to the internet without being checked.

via BoingBoing

I wrote that story about a decade ago. I even won some money for it and had it published. As it’s unlikely you’ll be able to find a copy of Raconteur number 5 knocking around, I’ve posted it in Cycling on the Pavement for your enjoyment.

To make this a special double value alien invasion special post-

Yesterday I discovered UFO: Aftermath and UFO: Aftershock, sort of sequels to the old XCom games, my addiction to which inspired Alien Galactic Domination. Want them now!

Technorati tag: Aliens, Virus, UFO