Will smartphones become the next murder weapon?
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This past October, an obscure presentation was given by a researcher for a Seattle-based computer security firm, IOActive, outlining how implanted devices, such as pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) may one day be exploited. The presentation was given by a man named Barnaby Jack. His job is to find security weakness.
Last year, he demonstrated how he could wirelessly connect to an implantable insulin pump and direct it to release a lethal dose of insulin. A year prior, he hacked into an ATM and made it regurgitate bills as if you won the jackpot.
Now, medical devices are entering the world of apps. From prosthetic limbs, to all manner of implantable devices, companies are developing apps to help patients and their doctors monitor all sorts of medical telemetry. The benefits are obvious as it would also provide a shortened response time if something goes wrong. With the convenience of being able to manage such devices through intuitive and simple interfaces on a smartphone, there is also a grave risk.
While he does not want to make exact predictions, Barnaby makes it pretty clear that people will not embrace new technology if it turns out to be open season for those with dubious motives. The scope of possibility is not limited to medical devices. Automobiles have over 100 different types of computers in them.
Today, for all intents and purposes, it is not practical, and therefore it is somewhat remote that there is any high-threat level. However, technology always gets easier to use over time, and that means consumers, patients, doctors and developers will have to approach most products with a bit of diligence on the IT security side of the house. In 10 years, the landscape will have changed enough where just about everything will be wirelessly connected to something for some reason.
source: Vanity Fair
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41 Comments
1. Omar-BHR95 posted on 24 Dec 2012, 05:15 17 20
The Nokia 3310 is a weapon
and its the father of all smartphones used as weapon.
POSTED FROM MY AMAZING NOKIA LUMIA 920
6. Omar-BHR95 posted on 24 Dec 2012, 06:21 5 13
why the dislikes did i say anything wrong ??!!! D:
23. Droiddoes posted on 24 Dec 2012, 09:35 4 7
Grumpy ass apple nerds would be my guess. Pissed that they don't have any "new" apple novelties to look forward to opening tomorrow morning.
31. maxis3G (unregistered) posted on 24 Dec 2012, 10:31 6 2
boring.......
next story please..
2. Droid_X_Doug posted on 24 Dec 2012, 05:23 1 1
For that reason (risk of hacking), I doubt there will be a market in the U.S. for Internet appliances where medical devices are concerned. There is just too much liability for the manufacturers.
5. mercorp posted on 24 Dec 2012, 06:00 11 2
Drop a bunch of nokia 3310 from 40km....
APOCALYPSE!!!!
8. smallworld posted on 24 Dec 2012, 06:57 2 17
Fact: Jokes about the 3310 have stopped being funny 4 years ago.
16. Insignificant posted on 24 Dec 2012, 08:42 7 2
They'll stop being funny when it stops being strong.
This statement shows that I believe 3310 jokes will be funny until the end of the world.
10. Nathan_ingx posted on 24 Dec 2012, 07:37 3 0
It has already become a weapon...
You call a sim-triggered bomb and kaboom goes the world.
Not just a smart phone...every mobile phone.
11. harsh_doshi posted on 24 Dec 2012, 07:39 7 1
just drop an iPhone in front of iDiehardfans and ull see them die(seeing it shattered into pieces)....yup ill call tht murder..
18. tidus28 posted on 24 Dec 2012, 09:13 3 1
just a small drop and a galaxy 3 breaks even the iphone 4 wich is made of glass front and back is more durable then they galaxy
20. cripton805 posted on 24 Dec 2012, 09:20 3 2
Let me guess. You own an iPhone.
I'm not going to try to reason with this logic of yours.
26. tidus28 posted on 24 Dec 2012, 09:37 1 2
np i own a lumia 920 im a phone salesman and i get so many guest come back to me with a broken phone screen on there galaxy
27. Droiddoes posted on 24 Dec 2012, 09:39 2 2
Funny, I dropped mine a couple times onto my hardwood floors before I had a bumper and it didn't have a mark. My wife's friend dropped her iphone on the same floor and that b*tch shattered like an old mans hip.
29. tidus28 posted on 24 Dec 2012, 09:42 1 1
so they made one good screen and she just had bad luck
32. SleepingOz posted on 24 Dec 2012, 10:44 1 5
Powerful weapon indeed! He's the son of the biggest mass murderer ever. Oh wait, he's his own father then he, himself, is the biggest mass murderer.
34. bstepchin posted on 24 Dec 2012, 12:52 5 0
You sir are an idiot. How can you sit there and speak of such blasphemy? It is disgraceful. At least have the decency and respect to shut up and keep your own stupidity to yourself, as there are others for whom God is sacred. And you have no idea what you're talking about; Jesus is not his own father. So before you go and brazenly open your mouth before thinking, do yourself a favor and grow up.
37. SleepingOz posted on 24 Dec 2012, 17:25 0 1
Haha butthurt christian! XD
Then WHAT is jesus? Don't adore it as god? But wait, it's written in the bible that there's only one god. Go back to it dude and read it all! Your god is described as a MASS MURDERER! That's not my opinion, it's what's written in your "not so" holy bible. I didn't have to open my mouth to type, so actually, you're the idiot here.
40. bstepchin posted on 25 Dec 2012, 00:34 1 0
Again, you have no idea what you're talking about. There are three individual beings that make one God; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, if God was a mass murderer, then why would he send his only begotten Son, who was innocent and blameless, to die for our sins? So please, before you begin arguing about the content of the Bible, at least read it first. Finally, you can think whatever you like, but at least have the respect for others and not spread your hate for God everywhere you go; this is a forum about phones, not religious opinions. Oh, and I am receiving my Doctorate in Pharmacy on May 2nd, so I'd rethink your last comment.
22. Nikolas.Oliver (limited) 2 days ago posted on 24 Dec 2012, 09:32 0 1
Only chuck norris could scratch nokia 3310
30. SonyXperiaNexus posted on 24 Dec 2012, 10:19 2 3
they already have .. apple has killed many with apple maps already.
38. microsoftnokiawin posted on 24 Dec 2012, 17:36 2 0
wow people have no sencse of humour these days
41. Rayvelynn posted on 26 Dec 2012, 13:30 0 0
One things for sure anything can be used as a weapon. I mean you can't ban CRAZY! lol
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