Skype Virus

Most Viruses attack a person’s personal information; but the hackers that have created this latest Skype virus have taken things one step further.  The Skype virus essentially replicates the DNA strands of known viruses like, the Flu, Ebola and the avian erythroblastosis virus, and then sends them to the person who is using Skype.  The good news is; one of the people using Skype already has to be infected by a virus in order for this to work.

I know; it sounds ridiculous, right?  However, what if I were to tell you that up until two days ago, while speaking to my sick girlfriend on Skype, I had never had the Flu virus?  She lives in the United States, and I am in Northern Ireland, so how could she have transmitted the Flu virus to me, through Skype? Well, the team at the J. Craig Venter Institute in Rockville, Maryland, who recently created synthetic life, are the ones who hold the answer.  The Skype virus is the icing on the cake; but it breaks every single ethical code in the book, so of course, those guys are not exactly eager to broadcast it to the world.  That doesn't mean though, that the information cannot be found, if you know where to look.

So, look I did; and this is what I discovered.  The Skype virus works by creating an algorithm that can map the genetic make up of a virus, by recording sound pulses that the virus gives off, which are inaudible to the human ear.  Once this is done, the code for the Skype virus travels through cyber space and is delivered to the end user.  As this is a completely new strain of the virus, even someone like me who is usually immune, becomes susceptible.

It appears that the Skype virus is just the beginning though.  Other applications, that are being considered for this new technology are; bio-hazardous emoticons, sexually transmitted smilies, and virtual pink eye.  You may ask why scientists would want to create something as potentially deadly as the Skype virus; but what you should be asking is, Why not?  Not only will the Skype virus prove, once and for all, that science is the new religion; but it will also give you an excuse not to have to talk to those annoying people who you really wish you hadn't added to begin with.  You know the type.  They seemed shy, and friendly enough; until that is, they put on their Internet face, and it's like having a conversation with Hannibal Lecter, possessed by the ghost of Jeffrey Dahmer.  Now you can just change your status message to; "Have the worst case of Swine Flu...ever!", and no more awkwardly unnerving cyber chat with; "Here's Johnny - kills his cats for fun - nut-bar", guy.