Hackers could target victims’ pacemakers - and deliver lethal shocks

It sounds like something out of science fiction, but cybersecurity researchers have warned that hackers could attack implanted medical devices such as pacemakers – and deliver lethal shocks.

Researchers from KU Leuven University say that the radio channels used by the devices for wireless communications are insecure – and could be hijacked.

Researchers showed off that they could drain the devices’ batteries – or even transit commands to make them malfunction.

British computer security expert Graham Cluley writes, ‘Threats against medical implants are not just the realm of thrillers; they are genuine concerns. If any further proof is needed, just consider that former US vice-president Dick Cheney had the wireless feature of his implanted heart defibrillator deactivated due to the potential for it to be exploited by assassins.’

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The researchers write, ‘Adversaries may eavesdrop the wireless channel to learn sensitive patient information, or even worse, send malicious messages to the implantable medical devices. The consequences of these attacks can be fatal for patients as these messages can contain commands to deliver a shock or to disable a therapy.’