Technology can be hacked, period. This is a known fact for many decades. However, when one imagines this, they probably only think about a man in another country hacking a computer or phone so that the user cannot open it until they pay the fee associated with freeing the device. As our society has become more reliant on technology, it is not wrong to think that, in fact, everything around us is hackable. Whether it be the NEST computerized thermostat, Alexa, the virtual assistant, the Schlage keypad on front doors, electric vehicles, or the medical devices that we rely on so greatly when we fall ill.
Malware is the new threat to health care. Malware is “is any software intentionally designed to cause damage to a computer, server, client, or computer network.” 18% of health care organizations polled that have seen malware or ransomware infect or impact medical devices in the past one and a half years. Malware on health devices can be dangerous as they can cause patients to overdose on medication, give out the wrong amount of shock with a defibrillator, etc. The 46th vice president of the USA, Dick Cheney, ordered changes in his pacemakers to better protect himself from malicious behavior such as hacking.
Our future is technology! However, it is necessary that we see improvements in cybersecurity so that we only utilize devices that are secure. Malware and hacking are inevitable and it is not a simple problem to solve. As we rely on these advanced technologies more and more, we need to also be responsible users. As discussed in class, it is time that we pay attention to the technology we use and rely on.
Source: https://www.wired.com/2017/03/medical-devices-next-security-nightmare/