If you use an insulin pump to regulate your health, check the brand and model to avoid this hacking issue.
This June, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about Medtronic’s MiniMed 508 insulin pump and MiniMed Paradigm series insulin pumps. The pumps are being recalled due to fears they could pose a cybersecurity risk.
To date, no patients have had their insulin pumps hacked. Still, the possibility exists.
The FDA is concerned that, in unprotected devices, a third party- someone other than Medtronic, the patient, caregiver or healthcare provider- could connect wirelessly to a patient’s pump. They could then change the device’s settings.
Related: Eye Drops Sold at Walmart and Other Eye Products Recalled Due to Fears They Aren’t Sterile
In doing so, a patient could end up receiving too much or too little insulin, resulting in dire health consequences.
What about a software patch? Unfortunately, Medtronic says that it can’t properly update the MiniMed 508 and Paradigm insulin pumps with anything to fix the issue. You need a different pump.
In the U.S., the company says it has identified 4,000 patients who are using these vulnerable insulin pumps, and there could be more. Patients at risk are being urged to switch to pumps that provide solid cybersecurity protection, to ensure proper health. Medtronic is also providing alternative insulin pumps to patients with enhanced built-in cybersecurity capabilities, so that the bases are covered.
Too bad there are too many evil minds out there. Stay safe.
For more on this issue, click here.
