Hacking risk leads to safety update for pacemakers

Several thousand people in Belgium who use a pacemaker have been told to have their device checked - because the technology could be vulnerable to hackers.

Researchers at KU Leuven university found that pacemakers made by the American manufacturer Abbott could be taken over remotely - potentially modifying the user's heart rate or allowing the battery to run dry.

"A hacker could easily intercept a pacemaker using just a computer and a small antenna, which is obviously dangerous," Professor Rik Willems told the Mediahuis newspapers on Saturday.

The US Food and Drug Administration has recommended that the users of six types of pacemakers manufactured by Abbott obtain an update to the device's software to address the vulnerability.

"The update does not require surgery. It takes just a few minutes in the hospital," Willems added.