US 'PROBES HACKABLE FLAWS' IN MEDICAL DEVICES (STA BREAKING NEWS and ARCHIVES)

by STANews , Thursday, October 23, 2014, 10:12

The US government is reported to fear that pacemakers could be hacked

US officials have revealed they are investigating about two dozen suspected examples of medical equipment vulnerable to hack attacks, potentially putting patients' lives at risk.

The products include heart implants and drug infusion pumps, according to a report by the Reuters news agency.

It said investigators were concerned that flaws in the kit could be used to cause heart attacks and drug overdoses.

There are no known examples of deaths having happened this way.

One expert suggested that investigators' efforts would better channelled elsewhere.

But the Department of Homeland Security indicated its fears were justified.

MORE...

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-29737540