Heart device found vulnerable to hacker attacks

A team of computer security researchers says it was able to gain wireless access to a combination heart defibrillator and pacemaker.
(From The New York Times)

The story "Heart device found vulnerable to hacker attacks" published March 11, 2008 at 10:35 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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[a85]

Again...

...companies/governments look at the benefits and fail to examine the potential detriments. Just like RFID or RKEs with useless encryption.<br /><br />Wireless accessibility inevitably adds the risk of unintended/unauthorised use, but so many companies just don't care.

[jypeterson]

Purely Fearmongering

This research is just FUD! You need $30k of equipment, MIT and other scientists/engineers, and be within 2" of the implanted device? Come on, sure the instructions on how to interpret the signals can get out on the net, but to be able to accomplish the other two tasks is slim to nil. Plus, I cannot think that anyone would attempt to hack an implanted device because it is such a small target. <br /><br />Medtronic will probably come out with a press release, but I personaly think that this is a non-issue.

[daftkey]

FUD today, truth tomorrow.

"Small" target, but a very valuable one in the right situation. How many murders are committed every year by someone close to the victim? How many of those would just LOVE a way to commit that murder leaving very little trace of evidence and looks like a malfunction (in the worst case scenario - in the best scenario, the victim's health "just deteriorated").<br /><br />As for the cost angle - your MP3 player holds technology that would have cost tens of thousands of dollars only a decade ago.

[entrare13]

Let's see... <br /><br />Among the listed users were the vice president of the USA. Then take into account that many modern cell phone have wi-fi capacity and most men who wear business suits tend to put their cell phones in their breast pockets. <br /><br />As far as funding 10's of thousands of dollars, I've heard of conspiracies that were less funded that had a less of a chance of succeeding. <br /><br />Because of people like the one listed above, this particular style of attack would have the possibility of being overlooked and could be even more difficult to trace than a bullet since the person pushing the button could easily be in another country when he presses the button.

[inachu]

This is stupid!

Why not add WIFI to my gastank so random war drivers can stall my car.....<br /><br />Some devices should be wifi free.<br />Next thing you know we will hear is that some care center has so many wifi routers that the signal noise prevented the doctor to transmit the jolt. Wifi is already now going down a one way street.

[neill1973]

I agree

I agree, but this article may also give people some sick ideas.

[Uncle John C]

Our world is full of folks who consider hacking a challenge.

I guess this is a case where having been around for a long time is a benefit. I have seen "impossibilities" turned into workable items over and over during the past 50 years. Refresh you knowledge of "Moore's Law". I could outline an entire spy novel for the reader based on the ability to gain access to specific details of an individual's heart activity, remaining inplant battery life, etc. Remember, there were those who said man would never set foot on the moon.<br />Uncle J.