Pacemaker Hacking

Don't know if this has been addressed on this forum before.  If it has, I haven't seen it.  Don't mean to be alarmist, but this has occured to me ever since I had my pacemaker placed 2 years ago this month.  So I'm passing this info along as I think all of us with implantible devices should have a heads-up.  Sorry if it causes any undue stress, but I feel we all should be aware of any possibilities.

Check out the main story at the link below and there are 2 links within this story to further information about the issue:

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2018/02/21/heart-alert-pacemakers-can-be-hacked-new-research-shows.html

4 Comments

If you put "hacking" in the search box (top right) ...

by LondonAndy - 2018-02-22 15:35:20

... you will find several discussions, and most of us are not bovvered.

Hacking

by PatCan - 2018-02-22 15:44:32

Again, sorry, but I had looked for a search box before posting my original message and I can't find it anywhere on my Pacemaker Club site...and still can't...

Hacking

by PatCan - 2018-02-22 15:47:07

Okaaaaay....Duh!!  The dummy just found it...!!

Bluetooth enabled

by Pacemum - 2018-02-22 16:18:37

On a more serious note -  for those who may be worried, we were discussing having the upgraded bluetooth enabled device at my daughters last appointment.  Basically there is alot of advanced technology now within the pacemakers.  Any signals are only activated one way so the devices can only send information and not recieve information.   The information sent to the hospital is encrypted.  Changes to your settings can only be carried out at the hospital/doctors/consultant appointment/office.

In a nutshell being 'bluetooth enabled' is nothing to be afraid of it just means less travelling to appointments and more time for living.

You know you're wired when...

You prefer rechargeable batteries.

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