Are you being hacked ?

There is yet another hacking scare in the UK press this morning.  This one concerns a security flaw which affects 16 separate models of Medtronic defibrillators. It seems that these faults mean that the MYCareLink Monitor enables a hacker to intercept the radio frequency communication to your implanted device.

Nothing to worrry about though it only means that a hacker standing no more than 20ft from your home could give you electric shocks or drain your defibrillator battery !  Apparently the U.S. department of homeland security has issued a warning re the Medtronic devices.

Before you dismiss this as just yet another scare I do wish to report that I think my pacemaker HAS been hacked.  The evidence is :-

As a golfer, putting used to be the strength of my game . Since getting a pacemaker my putting has become embarrassingly bad . I now miss putts a few inches from the hole. The only possible explanation is that my pacemaker has been hacked by one of my so-called golfing  " friends "

I have of course reported this to Medtronic , to the F.D.A.  and to our Prime Minister .  I await their reply.

Ian

 

6 Comments

I call bullshit

by AgentX86 - 2019-03-23 15:03:04

The Bluetooth communications is read-only and anything that can change settings is near-field communication. "20 Feet from home" (not the device) is a big hint that this is a troll.

hacked

by ROBO Pop - 2019-03-25 19:43:09

Do you really think I'd be stupid enough to do all those things that infuriate my wife? I been hacked and have no control over what I say and do dear

Not a Troll

by Grateful Heart - 2019-03-25 22:57:57

Doesn't anybody google anymore?

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/hackers-could-take-over-some-implanted-defibrillators-fda-says-n986836

Grateful Heart

Thank you Grateful Heart

by IAN MC - 2019-03-26 06:06:54

I had checked the authenticity before sending the original post.

Reports vary on the number of Medtronic models which could  be potentially affected but as  with all things, risk has to be weighed up against benefits and the risks of being hacked must be immeasurably low .

Ian

Ian

by Grateful Heart - 2019-03-27 18:05:36

Some of us like to joke around when appropriate but we wouldn't make something like that up. 

We've had our differences but I know you're not a troll....especially with your expert background.  You contribute great info to this website.  Also, I don't like someone being accused of something if it isn't true.

Now don't let this go to your head.

Grateful Heart

Question

by BarbD - 2019-03-28 13:58:43

How long does it take a company like Medtronic to fix this security breach??  I'm shocked that they would allow a breach like this to occur in the 1st place.

You know you're wired when...

You have a T-shirt that reads “Wired4Sound”.

Member Quotes

I finished 29th in London in 2 hours 20 minutes 30 seconds which is my fastest with or without a device so clearly it didn’t slow me down ! I had no problems apart from some slight chaffing on my scar - more Vaseline next time.