A different take — thinking about computer security in the DNA sequencing ecosystem
https://dnasec.cs.washington.edu/
Authors highlight:
(1) the failure of DNA sequencers to follow best practices in computer security and
(2) the possibility to encode malware in DNA sequences.
Is it possible to exploit a computer program with synthesized DNA?
The results from our study show that it is theoretically possible to produce synthetic DNA that is capable of compromising a computer system. For now, these attacks are difficult in practice because it is challenging to synthesize malicious DNA strands and to find relevant vulnerabilities in DNA processing programs. Thus, while scientifically interesting, we stress that people today should not necessarily be alarmed, as we discuss both above and below.
Are there any risks to people with DNA-based exploits? Will this infect my genome?
The answers to both questions are no. Your genome is untouched. Our exploit shows that specifically designed DNA can be used to affect computer programs, not living organisms themselves.