The research suggests how humanity could protect itself against spam or malicious viruses from a hypothetical extraterrestrial message.
A recent study has warned that if humans received a message from an extraterrestrial civilization, apart from the fact that this would be the largest event in the history of humanity, we would be at great risk.
The study, which was published on February 6 on arxiv.org and is entitled 'Interstellar communication. IX. Message decontamination is impossible ', has been developed by Michael Hippke, independent scientist of the Sonnerbeg Observatory (Germany) and John G. Learned, professor of the High Energy Physics Group of the University of Hawaii (USA).
In the work, the multiple possibilities of a hypothetical contact with an extraterrestrial civilization are analyzed in detail. The research considers how humanity could protect against spam or malicious viruses that could contain a message from the stars, for example.
"There is no convincing reason to assume benevolence (for example, that the intelligent extraterrestrial be wise and kind due to the experience of his ancient civilization). I find the analogy with what we know about our history much more convincing, "Learned told Universe Today. "Is there a society somewhere that has had a good experience after meeting with a technologically advanced invader?" Adds the researcher and author of the study.
Researchers advise that any Extraterrestrial Intelligence Search (SETI) signal be examined and "decontaminated" previously, to avoid further damage, since, as they point out, to eradicate an entire civilization it would be easier to send a message malicious than an invasion fleet.
The study raises the different dangers that an extraterrestrial message could contain: from a communication that could transmit self-destructive or erroneous information designed to spread panic to viruses, through technical problems, our computers will be blocked.
Hippke and Learned assure that neutralizing a possible computer threat that came in the form of a message coming from an extraterrestrial civilization with more advanced technology would be very difficult, so they recommend being cautious and applying security measures to try to avoid greater risks.
Source: http://frentefantasma.org/2018/02/14/advierten-del-peligro-de-los-mensajes-extraterrestres/