Is it possible for a hacker to attack a person’s brain instead of a machine? Brain hacking involves techniques that allow cybercriminals to gain some level of control over their victims’ brains. This means the human brain can be manipulated or controlled through several procedures. While this may be unsettling, it’s already a reality in our everyday lives. The rise of technology and increased digitization has fueled the growth of this kind of mental espionage. The outcome of such techniques depends on the intentions behind their application. Privacy and security, as integral parts of individual freedoms, are among the biggest challenges posed by technology and digitalization. The idea that anyone could control another person and modify their thoughts is alarming and unbelievable. However, these capabilities are already materially possible, and the techniques that enable them will continue to evolve. Technological developments such as the Internet of Things, big data, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing significantly impact and can support these brain-hacking techniques. These technologies offer functional possibilities and opportunities for improvement, but like any tool, they can be used for positive or negative purposes. In a time of global digitalization and significant technological advancements with the potential to bring about social or individual changes, it becomes essential to safeguard the most human essence.
The beginnings of brain hacking
In its early days, brain hacking started out positively, especially in relation to sales, marketing, human resources, and team management.It is what burst onto the scene years ago, studying purchasing behaviour through the analysis of mental processes. This concept began to be applied to processes, individual or group, that were applied to the human mind to improve people’s abilities to combat problems such as attention residue, cognitive configuration, and cognitive tuning. One of the most famous applications of this is the example of Melissa Hogenboom. This BBC journalist took on a project to modify her life through brain plasticity. Based on the scientific idea that the brain is malleable, she became the guinea pig for this informative experiment. He used neuroplasticity to promote this modification, in other words, how our nervous system evolves.ExclusiveTel, he focused on mindfulness for six weeks, engaging in daily practice and exploring new meditation techniques. He underwent daily practice sessions and new meditation patterns during this period. A scanner checked the state of his brain before and after this time frame. The study’s results showed significant physical indicators that her amygdala had shrunk, reducing her stress levels; the cingulate cortex in her limbic system had grown slightly, increasing her ability to control emotional and behavioural responses. In the end, Melissa noticed that she was able to keep her mind calm much more than before and was more relaxed.
Brain hacking improves cognitive performance and mental control, which is why it is used in many rehabilitation therapies and even as a treatment for various neurological and psychiatric conditions.
BCI technology is a real possibility
Technology has advanced to such an extent that it has developed an advanced system called BCI, Brain-Computer Interfaces, which allows direct communication between machine and brain. Despite the obvious complexity of brain signals and their complicated decoding, this connection is possible, and thanks to the reinforcement of artificial intelligence and deep learning, it can detect certain simple actions, even more demanding ones, such as speech. Thus, by detecting and decoding certain brain signals, it is possible to connect the brain to robotic devices, which will prove to be of great help in medicine and rehabilitation. These tools are based on reading electromagnetic brain waves and their translation. This development makes it possible not only to establish patterns of response to certain behaviours but also to know the tastes of any person.
The Nasty Side of Brain Hacking
Brain hacking can potentially enhance individuals’ mental health and well-being; therefore, the tools are neither beneficial nor detrimental; rather, their effectiveness is contingent upon their application. Once it has been determined that the brain can be manipulated in specific ways, it becomes crucial to understand that unscrupulous individuals can exploit these methods for illicit activities.
They aim to manipulate individuals’ thoughts and actions, gain access to sensitive information like bank account passwords or influence their ideological beliefs, pushing them towards more extreme positions. In a different context, these methods could be manipulated to manipulate the public into making undesirable purchases.
Can Brain Hacking be Prevented?
Considering this fact, it is crucial to remember that the confidentiality of every online user can be at risk. To ensure its protection, certain measures can be implemented:
- Develop and enhance legal measures to safeguard neural data. As an illustration, brain data is already covered by the GDPR, also known as the General Data Protection Regulation. General Data Protection Regulation
- It is important to establish clear limitations on the sharing and selling of brain data collected by neurotech organisations to external entities.
- Neurotechnological devices must only use the data necessary for the specific tasks they are performing.
- It is crucial for us, as citizens and customers, to increase awareness about the significance of cybersecurity. This implies requesting complete vulnerability-free and utmost security from suppliers.
