The scientists issued a warning when they received malicious code from the stars. The malicious code issued a warning.

The scientists issued a warning when they received malicious code from the stars. The malicious code issued a warning.

In 2050, the earth received the first interstellar code sent by an alien civilization. An international group of scientists, linguistics, and mathematicians cracked the information day and night. However, after code deciphering, the disaster has come-the world's automated networking devices crash, computers are encrypted, power grids go offline, and no one can use bitcoin to buy things any more. It all sounds like a sci-fi movie.

Two celestial physicists, Michael Hippke and John Learned, have published a paper (PDF) on the pre-printed arXiv website, warning about the possibility of malicious code. The SETI project for searching for civilizations is mainly engaged in two kinds of activities, one is passive monitoring of alien signals, and the other is actively sending information.

Many critics have criticized actively sending information. Critics believe that the alien civilization that receives the information may not be friendly. However, the two scientists believe that passive listening may also lead to disasters. For example, aliens send prank or threatening messages to claim that they can turn the sun into a supernov.

Whether they have the ability or not, this information will undoubtedly cause large-scale panic. Malicious Code such as ransomware can also cause disasters.