Security expert and diabetic Jerome Radcliffe has hacked into the wireless insulin pump he wears on his body around the clock to keep his blood sugar level stable. Radcliffe talked about the hack in a presentation at the Black Hat Security Conference, held in Las Vegas. He reportedly detailed how untraceable attacks could be launched against wireless insulin pumps, pacemakers and implanted defibrillators from a distance of half a mile. It’s possible to hack any wireless medical device that’s not configured properly, Tim Gee, principal at Medical Connectivity, told TechNewsWorld.
It isn't just devices controlled or calibrated wirelessly. Those remotely connected via USB to a web enabled soft ware or "portal" are often more vulnarable, since the software either locally at the doctor's or patient's site may be hacked, just as easily as the vendor's portal. Some vendors make it even easier by introducing flawed or immature software and processes, where user errors can barely be told apart from external interference.
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Invasion of the Body Hackers? Wireless Medical Devices Susceptible to Attacks
Posted by: Richard Adhikari August 5, 2011 11:40 AMSecurity expert and diabetic Jerome Radcliffe has hacked into the wireless insulin pump he wears on his body around the clock to keep his blood sugar level stable. Radcliffe talked about the hack in a presentation at the Black Hat Security Conference, held in Las Vegas. He reportedly detailed how untraceable attacks could be launched against wireless insulin pumps, pacemakers and implanted defibrillators from a distance of half a mile. It’s possible to hack any wireless medical device that’s not configured properly, Tim Gee, principal at Medical Connectivity, told TechNewsWorld.