UW researcher warns defibrillators could be hacked

A University of Washington researcher was involved in a study that found implanted heart defibrillators could be hacked.

The study found that computer hackers might intercept transmissions to and from the heart monitor. Although experts say the risk is remote, hackers could retrieve patient information or even stop the device from delivering a lifesaving shock.

One device-maker, Boston Scientific, says its defibrillators "incorporate encryption and security technologies designed to mitigate hacking risks."

The UW computer scientist, Yoshi Kohno, has also raised questions about the security of electronic voting.