FILED - At present there is no evidence that a hacker could remotely reprogram a pacemaker or defibrillator, or change device settings in any way. And yet the next generation of digital healthcare is coming in the form of new mobile apps that can measure blood sugar levels, detect concussions, cardiac arrhythmia and skin cancer, and help patients manage chronic illnesses. Photo: Maja Hitij/dpa
Imagine your cardiac pacemaker started delivering electrical pulses that are too strong. Or your insulin pump suddenly pumps too much insulin into you. For people who live with an electronic medical aid, the thought that it could be hacked and manipulated is horrifying.
How vulnerable are these medical devices to outside interference? And how great is the danger to patients?
