Stories
Slash Boxes
Comments

SoylentNews is people

Johnson & Johnson Issues Security Warning About Insulin Pump

posted by janrinok on Wednesday October 05 2016, @01:08PM   Printer-friendly

takyon writes:

Johnson & Johnson has issued a security warning about one of its products:

Johnson & Johnson on Tuesday issued a warning about a possible cybersecurity issue with its Animas OneTouch Ping Insulin Infusion Pump. The problem was first reported by Reuters.

Computer security firm Rapid 7 discovered that it might be possible to take control of the pump via its an unencrypted radio frequency communication system that allows it to send commands and information via a wireless remote control. The company alerted Johnson & Johnson, which issued the warning. Getting too high or too low a dose of insulin could severely sicken or even kill. There have been no instances of the pumps being hacked, Johnson & Johnson said.

Original Submission

 
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.
Johnson & Johnson Issues Security Warning About Insulin Pump | Log In/Create an Account | Top | 28 comments | Search Discussion
Display Options Threshold/Breakthrough Mark All as Read Mark All as Unread
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.

  • (Score: 2) by mcgrew on Wednesday October 05 2016, @04:56PM

    by mcgrew (701) <publish@mcgrewbooks.com> on Wednesday October 05 2016, @04:56PM (#410701) Homepage Journal

    The pump isn't inside the body. I think you need some more coffee. It's a PUMP that injects insulin. If the whole thing were installed inside your body, how would you refill or recharge it? Of course it has some sort of jack or plug to recharge the battery, and I'll bet it's a USB port.

    There is ZERO reason to have these things in any way hackable. Putting bluetooth in them was idiotic. If there's no reason to have a device on a network, KEEP IT OFF THE NETWORK.

    --
    mcgrewbooks.com mcgrew.info nooze.org
    Starting Score:    1  point
    Karma-Bonus Modifier   +1  
    Total Score:   2  

  • (Score: 2) by Snow on Wednesday October 05 2016, @05:12PM

    by Snow (1601) on Wednesday October 05 2016, @05:12PM (#410715) Journal

    Ahh, good call. I didn't actually click the link or anything, but what you say makes perfect sense.

    -- Snow

  • (Score: 2) by PocketSizeSUn on Wednesday October 05 2016, @06:30PM

    by PocketSizeSUn (5340) on Wednesday October 05 2016, @06:30PM (#410755)

    There are both kinds of drug pumps. Implanted and external.
    Most of the insulin ones are external (The ones I've seen look like a pager attached to a belt) with a fixed drip line (that also has it's own issues).

    For the implanted pump the reservoir is usually refilled with a needle. Not sure about external pumps.