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Hacking a Pacemaker

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the probably-not-the-best-idea dept.

jonkman sean writes "University researchers conducted research into how they can gain wireless access to pacemakers, hacking them. They will be presenting their findings at the "Attacks" session of the 2008 IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy. Their previous work (PDF) noted that over 250,000 implantable cardiac defibrillators are installed in patients each year. This subject was first raised along with similar issues as a credible security risk in Gadi Evron's CCC Camp 2007 lecture "hacking the bionic man"."

7 of 228 comments (clear)

  1. Bionic eye by sm62704 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I'm sure glad the device in my eye (see my sig for details) is focused by the eye's muscles rather than electronics/motors. Some things shouldn't be networkable.

    Oh yeah, the oblig: We are cyborg. You will be assimilated. resistance is not only futile but you won't resist, you'll beg to join us..

    --
    mcgrew's razor: Never attribute to stupidity that which can be explained by greedy self-interest
    1. Re:Bionic eye by Ihlosi · · Score: 5, Insightful
      Once they've sewn one into my chest (thank God heart disease doesn't run in my family) I wouldn't want it to be programmable!

      Um, yes you do. Do you want them to have to cut you open because you don't like the maximum pacing rate and want to have it reduced by 5 bpm ?

    2. Re:Bionic eye by StylusEater · · Score: 5, Funny

      I can see the headlines... "Cheney's Pacemaker Hacked by Chinese Militants" ... :-) One can only wish.

  2. A better method by yamamushi · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The article details how the researchers had to be within 2 inches of the pacemaker, and several thousands of dollars worth of equipment. I suspect there is an easier way to deactivate a pacemaker, find out what frequency they operate at. I've got an FM radio blocker, that is basically just a 100mhz oscillator, a potentiometer, and a battery. It works by canceling out a given frequency, thus letting me silence my neighbors stereo from 50ft away. I know the technique works for the 2.4ghz band, for blocking out wireless phone signals and whatnot. I suppose finding an oscillator in the high ghz range would suffice for 'killing' a pacemaker.

    --
    - Aetheral Research -
  3. Re:So they can crack RSA and then get the pacemake by frog_strat · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Working on the communications software for one of these devices, I can say for sure there is no encryption on at least one of them. A decision was made by the company to not worry about this issue at the moment.

  4. Hacking the VP by tobiasly · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yes, that's a very real concern that the secret service has been terrified of for years. Most people know that Cheney has a pacemaker, but the real secret is that they forgot to turn off SSID broadcast and its password is "Linksys".

  5. Re:Don't fear.... much by NIckGorton · · Score: 5, Informative

    I'm not so sure about that (speaking as an ER physician who would generally be the one saying WTF is the password???)

    In the worst case scenarios, either 1) put a donut magnet over it and it can be stopped or 2) give me a scalpel and 30 seconds and I can cut the leads, and then we can externally pace and/or defibrillate the person.

    So I am not sure that the risk of being password protected would outweigh the risk of not being password protected. I'd want mine password protected, then put the password on a medic-alert bracelet that I wear.