Scientists, be on guard ... ET might be a malicious hacker

Guardian UK ^ | November25, 2005 | Ian Sample

[RightWhale]

they would know what 'code' we use

Likewise we need to know their transmission encoding. If they are transmitting the Gettyburg Address we could figure it out, but otherwise it could be a while.

[GOPJ]

"He believes scientists searching the heavens for signals from extra-terrestrial civilisations are putting Earth's security at risk, by distributing the jumble of signals they receive to computers all over the world."

Don't thrash about in the ocean until you're ready for the shark.

The SETI people could show their mettle by communicating with the other life forms here - the ones we evolved with - the easy ones. When they do that, they can call the shark...

[GOPJ]

bump

[Rebelbase]

My son was telling about the Slashdot comments on this same article last night.

Funiest one he told me was about all the intergalactic Nigerian Scam letters we can soon expect.

"Hello, Greetings from Beta X 93712. I am P3X92-2, son of the late P3X92-1. My father controlled a bazillion qadruon private account in the Solaria system for use in illicit activties of several corrupt alliance officials who were vaporized in the Lesbora purges. I seek you in confidence to assist in the transfer of these funds............."