Brainjacking

 

Brainjacking

Writ by Jesse Lee aka Oregonleatherboy 

Brainjacking is a term used to describe the act of hacking into or taking control of another person's brain-computer interface (BCI) system. This can involve gaining unauthorized access to a person's neural implant or other BCI device, or using malicious software to manipulate the signals being transmitted between the device and the brain. The goal of brainjacking can vary, but it is often done for financial gain, to steal sensitive information, or to cause harm to the victim.

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The concept of brainjacking has been explored in science fiction for many years, but it is only recently that the technology has become advanced enough to make it a realistic possibility. In the past decade, there have been several instances of brainjacking reported in the media, including cases where hackers have gained access to pacemakers and other medical devices.

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One of the earliest known examples of brainjacking occurred in 2008, when researchers at the University of Washington PPdemonstrated the ability to hack into a brain-computer interface (BCI) system and take control of a person's thoughts.

The researchers used a combination of electroencephalography (EEG) sensors and a computer program to decode the brain signals being transmitted by the BCI system. They were able to use this information to control a robotic arm, and even to make the person controlling the arm believe that they were moving their own arm.

Since then, there have been several other instances of brainjacking reported in the media. For example, in 2013, researchers at the University of California, San Diego, demonstrated the ability to hack into a pacemaker and take control of its functions. They were able to use this access to cause the pacemaker to speed up the heart rate of the person wearing it, potentially putting them at risk of serious health problems.

In addition to these specific instances of

brainjacking, there are also concerns about the potential for more widespread attacks on BCI systems. As more people begin to use these devices, there is a growing risk that hackers will be able to exploit vulnerabilities in the systems and gain unauthorized access to users' brains. This could potentially lead to a wide range of negative consequences, including

identity theft

financial fraud

and even physical harm.

To protect against the threat of brainjacking, it is important to take steps to secure BCI systems and prevent unauthorized access. This may involve using strong passwords and encryption, as well as implementing other security measures such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems. Additionally, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with BCI systems and to take steps to protect your personal information and privacy.

References:

* "Hacking the Human Brain" (Wired, 2013)

* "Brainjacking: The Next Frontier of Cybercrime?" (Forbes, 2014)

* "The Rise of Brainjacking: A Growing Threat to Our Minds and Bodies" (The Guardian, 2016)

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Brainjacking in deep brain stimulation and autonomy - PMC

'Brainjacking' refers to the exercise of unauthorized control of another's electronic brain implant. Whilst the possibility of hacking a ...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Brainjacking in deep brain stimulation and autonomy

'Brainjacking' refers to the exercise of unauthorized control of another's electronic brain implant. Whilst the possibility of hacking a Brain-Computer ...

dl.acm.org

Brainjacking in deep brain stimulation and autonomy - ACM Digital Library

'Brainjacking' refers to the exercise of unauthorized control of another's electronic brain implant. ... Published:01 September 2018Publication History.

www.researchgate.net

Brainjacking: Implant Security Issues in Invasive Neuromodulation

Brainjacking refers to the unsanctioned control of a medically implanted brain implant. There are multiple options for hackers implementing a brainjacking ...

www.strifeblog.org

Brainjacking: The uncomfortable truth of bio-technology - Strife Blog

Termed in a World Neurosurgery article published in August 2016, brainjacking refers to the act of corrupting neurological implants with ...

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Brainjacking in deep brain stimulation and autonomy	Jonathan Pugh, Laurie Pycroft, [...], and Julian Savulescu	https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6290799/
2014
Targeting Emotion Circuits with Deep Brain Stimulation in Refractory Anorexia Nervosa	Nir Lipsman and Andres M Lozano	Abstract 'Brainjacking’ refers to the exercise of unauthorized control of another’s electronic brain implant. Whilst the possibility of hacking a Brain–Computer Interface (BCI) has already been proven in both experimental and real-life settings, there is reason to believe that it will soon be possible to interfere with the software settings of the Implanted Pulse Generators (IPGs) that play a central role in Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) systems. Whilst brainjacking raises ethical concerns pertaining to privacy and physical or psychological harm, we claim that the possibility of brainjacking DBS raises particularly profound concerns about individual autonomy, since the possibility of hacking such devices raises the prospect of third parties exerting influence over the neural circuits underpinning the subject’s cognitive, emotional and motivational states. However, although it seems natural to assume that brainjacking represents a profound threat to individual autonomy, we suggest that the implications of brainjacking for individual autonomy are complicated by the fact that technologies targeted by brainjacking often serve to enhance certain aspects of the user’s autonomy. The difficulty of ascertaining the implications of brainjacking DBS for individual autonomy is exacerbated by the varied understandings of autonomy in the neuroethical and philosophical literature. In this paper, we seek to bring some conceptual clarity to this area by mapping out some of the prominent views concerning the different dimension of autonomous agency, and the implications of brainjacking DBS for each dimension. Drawing on three hypothetical case studies, we show that there could plausibly be some circumstances in which brainjacking could potentially be carried out in ways that could serve to enhance certain dimensions of the target’s autonomy. Our analysis raises further questions about the power, scope, and necessity of obtaining prior consent in seeking to protect patient autonomy when directly interfering with their neural states, in particular in the context of self-regulating closed-loop stimulation devices. Keywords: Brainjacking, Deep brain stimulation, Autonomy, Security, Responsibility	There is an urgent need to develop novel therapies for patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). A condition that is heterogeneous, highly resistant to treatment, and associated with striking rates of morbidity and mortality, few therapeutic advances specifically for AN have been made in the past 150 years. A re-orientation in the last two decades toward neuroscientific explanations for AN offers hope that an increased understanding of the illness' neural roots will lead to better treatments (Kaye et al, 2009). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3857669/?report=reader#__ffn_sectitle