Hackers' Next Target - Your Brain?

In the past year, researchers have developed technology that makes it possible to use thoughts to operate a computer and maneuver a wheelchair . Another new device reportedly can convert brain waves into data and transmit the data via wireless technology into the minds of other wearers of the device.

These technological advances seem like exciting breakthroughs for researchers, but some scientists are concerned that "brain hacking" or "mind hijacking" is a real possibility that needs to be taken seriously.

"Neural devices are innovating at an extremely rapid rate and hold tremendous promise for the future," computer security expert Tadayoshi Kohno of the University of Washington told Wired.com . "But if we don't start paying attention to security, we're worried that we might find ourselves in five or 10 years saying we've made a big mistake."

At last month's World Science Festival in New York , leading neuroscientists described how far we've come in our ability to peer into people's minds. Some experts think the hackers can't be far behind.