Securing Wireless Neurostimulators [2018]
[This post based on the Securing Wireless Neurotransmitters, Marin et al., 2018 ] How can we make sure Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) don't get hacked? A brain implant is a huge security risk. Currently, an attacker who successfully hacks such an implant could gain total control over a patient's life. In the future, if/when BCIs are able to read and write neural data at the thought level, a hacker could literally rewrite someone's thoughts, memories, and beliefs by compromising a target's BCI. The paper we discuss here proposes a method for securing current neurostimulators, with applications to all current and future wireless medical devices and BCIs. Executed Hack Other researchers have already demonstrated that the implanted medical devices used for treating conditions like diabetes or irregular heartbeats are vulnerable to attack, and for the first time, this study demonstrated attacks on a device implanted in the brain. The researchers were able to carr...