Are aliens attacking DNA and computers?
In February 2018 (
https://bit.ly/3te3y6Y) astrophysicists Michael
Hippck and John Learned in their article considered the possibility
of an alien attack using a virus. Based on the fact that outer space
is very large, travel at near-light speeds is difficult to implement,
and the construction of an entire fleet of space battleships is likely
to be a very costly undertaking even for a technically advanced
extraterrestrial civilization, astrophysicists suggested that the
most likely way to attack hostile alien creatures would be software
code hidden in a message addressed to earthlings.
Such a code may contain advanced artificial intelligence or a virus
that can penetrate computer systems and spread throughout the
world, destabilizing banking systems and electrical grids throughout
the planet. Astrophysicists have also suggested that an alien attack
through a message like "Give up or tomorrow we will turn your
sun into a supernova" may just be an empty threat to cause panic
among the world's population. The only way to defend against
such an attack is to simply not receive any messages from aliens.
It is impossible to assess the risks in advance for something more
complex than primitive images or simple text. Scientists believe
that only we can decide to destroy such a message or risk opening
it. Although the likelihood of such an attack on humanity may
be small, nevertheless the chances of opening a "Pandora's box"
exist.
