Ultrasound Machines With Old Software Can Be Easily Hacked

Ultrasound machines that are running on outdated software, like Windows 2000 or later, allow an easy entry for hackers. These perpetrators can steal all the sensitive patient information and extort hospitals for millions in ransom.

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According to security specialist, Check Point Software Technologies, cyber terrorists can gain entry to hospitals and all their networks just by connecting to an ultrasound imaging device running on old software. Take, for example, a report by the Department of Health & Social Care about the 2017 WannaCry ransomware virus attack. It hit the computers of at least 100 countries, where it spread mainly through programs that lacked security updates. It caused the U.K?s National Health Service to shell out 92 million pounds ($104 million) in I.T costs and lost output.

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The report?s purpose was to show the possibility that it could happen again. The spokesman for Check Point, Gil Messing emphasized that it wasn?t because of the manufacturers and devices, but because of its outdated software. But any hospital would usually snob the idea of taking their machines off-line for an update because it takes time, it costs money and they might lose their patients.

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The only solution is to employ advanced & comprehensive security solutions and a better file encryption. Also, separate patient data from IT networks, according to a blog post made by Check Point.

The Wisdom Segment

I NASA has just announced that the first fruit plant it will grow on the International Space Station (ISS) will be the Espaola chili pepper plant (Capsicum annuum). If everything goes according to plan, the space agency is planning to send specimens of the fruiting plant to the ISS between November 2019 and January 2020.

II According to NASA plant physiologist Ray Wheeler, this particular species was chosen because researchers were looking for varieties that didnt grow too tall but were productive under controlled conditions. Espaola pepper is a good choice because astronauts like spicy and flavorful food. As a bonus, pepper plants have high vitamin C content. In addition, they usually grow well at high altitudes, are easily pollinated, have short growing cycles, and more importantly they are able to survive in an environment with a high CO2 concentration.

III Various crews (astronauts and cosmonauts) have been cultivating plants in space stations since 1982. The first batch of plants (the model plant Arabidopsis) was grown by the Soviet crew of the Salyut 7 space station. In fact, Russian space crews have been consuming various produce that they have grown in space since 2003.

IV It was not until 2015 that US astronauts were finally able to taste the fruit of their own labors (lettuce). Throughout the years, many different types of plants e.g., radishes, peas, red Russian kale, Chinese cabbage, Swiss chard, and zinnia flower have been successfully grown on the ISS.

V Because plants root systems are rather complex and plants normally use the Earths gravity to orient themselves, it has been a challenging task to grow them in space. Scientists and astronauts have been able to get around this problem by using special types of light and other techniques that help the plants figure out which way is up or down.

VI The pepper plant is expected to be cultivated using the two plant growth systems installed aboard the ISS: the Advanced Plant Habitat and VEGGIE.

Ultrasound Machines With Old Software Can Be Easily Hacked

The Wisdom Segment

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