Man infects himself with computer virus

Boffin lets RFID bug get under his skin

A British computer scientist believes he is the first person ever to infect himself with a computer virus.

Dr Mark Gasson from the University of Reading says he has demonstrated a means for an RFID tag implanted in his hand to pass a virus to a nearby reader device.

The chip was similar to ones used to tag household pets, but Gasson has rigged it to open electronic locks and allow access to his mobile phone.

Gasson told the BBC he is concerned that in future similar technology used in medical devices such as pacemakers could be similarly compromised.

He is due to present his findings to the IEEE International Symposium on Technology and Society in Australia next month.