Practice Good Cybersecurity Habits: How To Prevent Hackers From Accessing Personal Medical Devices

Personal medical devices are empowering patients, healthcare providers, and caregivers as they allow people to monitor and keep track of daily health, reducing the need for frequent check-ups and in-person treatments. But while these devices have made monitoring and managing health conditions easier than ever, they’ve also become favourite access points of cyber criminals who are looking to steal sensitive data. Various tests and studies have proven that medical devices have cybersecurity issues, and in 2022, the FBI confirmed that about 53 percent of devices were vulnerable to hacking. 

Data thieves typically use the information they have to gain access to bank accounts or use the victim’s identity in other ways for monetary gain. That’s why if you have a pacemaker, a cochlear implant, a medical ID bracelet, an insulin pump, or any other wearable health device, it’s important to be on the safe side and practice good cybersecurity habits to protect yourself from data breaches. Here’s how to prevent hackers from accessing your personal medical devices.

Regular Software Updates

Cybercriminals are always on the lookout for medical devices with old operating systems since they’re easier to breach. In fact, a recent study has revealed that when looking at devices with unsupported operating systems, 85 percent of surgical devices belonging to that category were found to be highly vulnerable to cyber attacks. If you use a medical alert system that connects to an app, make sure that the app is regularly updated since doing so can fix vulnerabilities and reduce the risks of data breaches. Download these updates and install them as soon as they’re released, or activate your device’s automatic update settings.

In addition to the medical alert system, you may also want to consider wearing a medical warning dog tag as a necklace or a bracelet as a backup. This can help to notify others of your medical condition in case the updates cause your device to temporarily lag or slow down. The tag should clearly state your health condition and emergency contact information so people will know what to do or who to call in case of an emergency.

Use a Strong Password

Medical devices such as insulin pumps come with passwords to ensure the safety of patients. But most people don’t bother changing the default passwords, thinking that they’d never get hacked. Leaving your medical device unprotected can be dangerous since you’re putting your data and even your life at risk. There’s always a chance that a hacker could tamper with the settings of the device, which could change the way your medication is administered if you’re using an insulin pump. They can easily do so by going online to find the default password, which is information that’s readily given by suppliers or manufacturers.

For this reason, make sure to change your password, and create a unique one to prevent cybercriminals from gaining access to your device. Never store your password in your mobile phone, and don’t write it on pieces of paper either. Instead, use a password manager to store all your passwords securely. This can be beneficial for people who tend to forget their passwords or those who use multiple password-protected personal medical devices. Be sure to update your password every few months to deter hackers and keep your data safe.

Be Wary of Phishing Attempts

Smartwatches and digital health trackers are some of the most popular wearable devices today since these can help you do so many things to enhance your health. Not only do they help you track your physical level activity, but these can also monitor your sleep quality and your heart rate. But since smart watches also allow you to check text messages and social media, wearing them makes you vulnerable to phishing attacks. This is a type of scam that cybercriminals use to trick you into revealing sensitive information which they can use for blackmail or to steal from you, so you need to be extra vigilant to protect your finances and reputation.

If you receive a text message with a link from an unknown number, don’t click on the link and block the number immediately. You should also avoid scanning QR codes with your wearable health device since the codes might redirect you to websites that can steal your vital data or information. As an added layer of protection, use a PIN or an unlock pattern so only you can have physical access to your device, and adjust the settings to block unauthorized pairing or synching.

Safeguard your personal medical devices from data breaches and other cybersecurity scams. Consider the tips above to protect your personal health and keep your devices safe from all forms of cyber threats.

Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, nor should it be relied upon as professional cybersecurity guidance. Open Medscience makes no representations or warranties of any kind regarding the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of any information in this article.

Readers are advised to consult qualified healthcare professionals for medical concerns and certified IT security professionals for cybersecurity-related matters concerning personal medical devices. Any actions taken based on the content of this article are at the reader’s own risk. Open Medscience does not accept any liability for loss or damage arising from the use or misuse of this information.