. 24/7 Space News .
MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS
Astrophysicists Warn Us Against Opening Malicious E.T. Messages
by Staff Writers
Moscow (Sputnik) Feb 16, 2018

illustration only

The idea of receiving some useful information from extra-terrestrial life-forms has long fascinated humanity and even inspired books and films, such as Contact (1997). However, there are those who have warned against trusting alien signals too much.

According to the results of the recent research there is a high chance that the messages that we receive from the deep space can carry content hazardous for the whole human population. Two astrophysicists, Michael Hippke and John G. Learned, have published their research on the portal arxiv.org which analyzes possible threats coming from such messages.

According to the two scientists, even if alien message only contain text information, it could already be harmful. For example, if E.T. life forms would start broadcasting a signal saying "We will make your sun go supernova tomorrow," it can create panic that will result in numerous casualties. Or it may just have a demoralizing influence on a global scale.

They also warn us against possible sophisticated computer viruses, which humanity won't be able to contain for various reasons. If such malicious messages are broadcasted repeatedly, they could be received even by ordinary people, who could expose the whole Internet to it, should they decide to open it on their PCs.

But even if the message is owned only by a small group of people, who decide to open it on a computer disconnected from all networks, risk of exposure still persists. The authors of the research depict a scenario where a code of AI with knowledge of an intergalactic library was received by some governmental body, who decided to launch it on a dedicated computer on a moon, booby-trapped with remotely controlled fission bombs. According to them, such an AI could still escape and cause disaster on our home planet, using social engineering or just the human factor.

The scientists summarize their research by stating that it is highly probable, that we won't be able to decontaminate such messages and should destroy them upon receiving, although they agree that not necessarily all of them pose threat.


Related Links
Space War
Read the latest in Military Space Communications Technology at SpaceWar.com


Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly


paypal only
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal


MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS
Northrop Grumman awarded $429M contract for Polar payloads
Washington (UPI) Feb 8, 2018
The U.S. Air Force has awarded a $428.8 million contract to Northrop Grumman for two payloads for the Enhanced Polar System's satellites. The two EPS constellation satellites operate in highly elliptical orbits, according to Northrop Grumman. They will succeed the current Interim Polar System and work in conjunction with another EHF SATCOM system, the company said. The EPS-R EHF XDR payloads will "prevent a Military Satellite Communications mission gap in the Polar region," the De ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS
Holograms and mermaids: Top trends at Nuremberg toy fair

NASA Acting Administrator's Statement on FY 2019 Budget Proposal

US wants to privatize International Space Station: report

All-in-one service for the Space Station

MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS
140 successful tests and several "firsts" for Vinci, the engine for Ariane 6

Soyuz launch to resupply ISS aborted seconds before liftoff

What's next for SpaceX?

Elon Musk, visionary Tesla and SpaceX founder

MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS
Leaky Atmosphere Linked To Lightweight Planet

Mars Opportunity Rover Energy Levels Improve

In Oman desert, European venture sets sights on Mars

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter preparing for years ahead

MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS
Long March rockets on ambitious mission in 2018

Chinese taikonauts maintain indomitable spirit in space exploration: senior officer

China launches first shared education satellite

China's first X-ray space telescope put into service after in-orbit tests

MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS
Iridium Announces First Land-Mobile Service Providers for Iridium Certus

2018 in Space - Progress and Promise

UK companies seek cooperation with Russia in space technologies

GovSat-1 Successfully Launched on SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket

MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS
Last NASA Communications Satellite of its Kind Joins Fleet

Self-Driving Servicer Now Baselined for NASA's Restore-L Satellite-Servicing Demonstration

Navy turns to Raytheon for aircraft sensor upgrades

Advances in lasers get to the long and short of it

MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS
'Oumuamua has been tumbling about the galaxy for a billion years

UChicago astrophysicists settle cosmic debate on magnetism of planets and stars

Viruses are falling from the sky

Are you rocky or are you gassy

MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS
New Horizons captures record-breaking images in the Kuiper Belt

Europa and Other Planetary Bodies May Have Extremely Low-Density Surfaces

JUICE ground control gets green light to start development

New Year 2019 offers new horizons at MU69 flyby









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.