A Heart Device Is Found Vulnerable to Hacker Attacks

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/12/business/12heart-web.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

And you thought script-kiddy hackers were scary... Try a wireless hacker that could potentially put actual human lives in danger! This article speaks of the vulnerability of medical devices, such as heart devices, to hacking. Read this little excerpt: "They were able to reprogram it to shut down and to deliver jolts of electricity that would potentially be fatal — if the device had been in a person." This is definitely not some script-kiddy level hacking joke, this is a serious danger that could have some real consequences felt.

The article explains that some heart devices use wireless-communication to adjust heart devices without performing surgery. This explains why there are such potential vulnerabilities. The article comments that tis wireless communication technology is specifically a product of telemetry, a topic briefly covered in class.

While the article concludes that people with implanted heart devices should not currently worry about, having discovered such vulnerabilities will potentially lead to widespread awarenesses of other similar vulnerabilities that to could to life-threatening situations. Some I can think of right now off the top of my head include dialysis machines, anesthetics machines, and any other kinds of technology that act as supplements or as sustainment to human life. As wireless technology improves in functionality and range, I fear many more hacking opportunities may surface.