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Microsoft Ponders UV Password Tattoos to Protect Pacemakers

by Caleb Johnson on April 17, 2010 at 03:00 PM

uv tattoos pacemaker
As pacemakers become increasingly connected via the Web, doctors and patients must figure out how to protect these devices from security breaches. Some attempts include using ultrasound waves and developing 'cloaking' devices, among other techniques. But, according to Popular Science, Microsoft Research (.PDF) believes that tattooing the device's password onto the patient's skin in ultraviolet (UV) ink is the best way to protect against hacks. Rather than printing the password on a bracelet or a radio frequency identification tag (RFID), which could be lost or hacked respectively, the ink would be permanent and could only be viewed with a UV light upon the patient's consent. This method wouldn't cost hospitals much, either, since all they'd really need is a UV light.

Still, we wonder how many folks would be okay with a tattoo -- even if it was only visible under a UV light. Despite the wealth of people with tattoos these days, it's still a little taboo for some -- particularly the elderly, who would be the most likely recipients. But if researchers can overcome this potential stigma, it could be the safest and most efficient way to protect medical devices from hacks. You know some part of your grandpa regrets not having gotten a tattoo back when he was stationed in the Philippines, anyway. [From: Popular Science and Microsoft Research]

Tags: hack, health, medical, pacemaker, rfid, security, tattoo, top, Ultraviolet, uv, wireless

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