Abbott Withdraws 465,000 Pacemakers Prone to Potential Hack

Pacemaker manufacturer Abbott recently recalled its devices presuming a hack could get executed over them. The recall covered as many as 465,000 pacemakers so the devices would be made up to date with fresh software for fixing the security flaws involved, NBC New York reported. It was important to run the update, otherwise cyber criminals could gain control of the devices created for monitoring and controlling human heart beats.

The recall made is over the Abbott pacemakers namely Accent MRI, Anthem, Accent, Allure, Assurity and Accent ST. Previously Abbott had its name as St. Jude Medical. By attacking the pacemakers, hackers were likely to drain the battery of the devices else disturb the real pacing.

It is indeed terrible if some unknown person compromises a medical instrument that keeps one alive. Cardiac electro-physiologist Dr. Basu Ray from CHI Saint Vincent implanted Abbott's pacemakers on many patients. Thv11.com posted this dated September 5, 2017.

As accords to FDA, security flaws involved with Abbott's pacemakers, in case abused, could let any illegitimate person gain hold over patients' pacemakers devoid of them knowing about it. Consequently, anything could take place such as rapid battery drainage to guiding inappropriate pacing that may possibly kill the device user. Fortunately, there haven't occurred any instances of pacemaker compromise else patient harm. However, exploitation of the flaws could let crooks fast deplete the pacemakers' batteries alternatively modify operations of the devices. Moreover, before hacking the devices there must be extremely complex circumstances.

Fortune reports that FDA reiterated to healthcare providers, patient caregivers and patients themselves that a medical device running with the help of any communications network like home/public Internet or WiFi might've security flaws which unauthorized users could exploit. Nevertheless, medical devices increasingly utilizing software and wireless technology could as well frequently provide safer, more efficacious, timely as well as convenient delivery of health care.

And with Abbott currently acknowledging the security flaws followed with issuing one firmware update, it's good to maintain the fix. Also, for users wanting towards checking whether their devices have been included among the recall items they're invited to call 1-800-722-3774.

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