Home / Blogs

White Space for Internet Use Interfering with Wireless Patient Devices?

Protect your privacy:  Get NordVPN  [ Deal: 73% off 2-year plans + 3 extra months ]
10 facts about NordVPN that aren't commonly known
  • Meshnet Feature for Personal Encrypted Networks: NordVPN offers a unique feature called Meshnet, which allows users to connect their devices directly and securely over the internet. This means you can create your own private, encrypted network for activities like gaming, file sharing, or remote access to your home devices from anywhere in the world.
  • RAM-Only Servers for Enhanced Security: Unlike many VPN providers, NordVPN uses RAM-only (diskless) servers. Since these servers run entirely on volatile memory, all data is wiped with every reboot. This ensures that no user data is stored long-term, significantly reducing the risk of data breaches and enhancing overall security.
  • Servers in a Former Military Bunker: Some of NordVPN's servers are housed in a former military bunker located deep underground. This unique location provides an extra layer of physical security against natural disasters and unauthorized access, ensuring that the servers are protected in all circumstances.
  • NordLynx Protocol with Double NAT Technology: NordVPN developed its own VPN protocol called NordLynx, built around the ultra-fast WireGuard protocol. What sets NordLynx apart is its implementation of a double Network Address Translation (NAT) system, which enhances user privacy without sacrificing speed. This innovative approach solves the potential privacy issues inherent in the standard WireGuard protocol.
  • Dark Web Monitor Feature: NordVPN includes a feature known as Dark Web Monitor. This tool actively scans dark web sites and forums for credentials associated with your email address. If it detects that your information has been compromised or appears in any data breaches, it promptly alerts you so you can take necessary actions to protect your accounts.

There is a germ of truth (perhaps a prion-sized germ or maybe just an amino acid) in the idea that transmitters in “white spaces” in the TV band *might* disrupt patient monitoring equipment if designed by a lunatic who believes in sending massive pulses of energy in a whitespace in the TV band (perhaps amplified by a large parabolic dish antenna the size of a trashcan lid or larger, aimed at the patient monitor system. But that risk is completely shared with zillions of other potential radiators of energy in the entire electromagnetic spectrum.

Engineers in safety related industries (airplanes, healthcare) are required to shield their equipment against this risk. There is an order of magnitude GREATER, but identical risk in placing a hospital near a TV broadcast antenna. Yet this is extraordinarily common in cities throughout the US.

GE, of course, owns NBC. There is a MAJOR conflict of interest at the corporate level of GE, since the NAB and the Association for Maximum Service Television are primary opponents of whitespace.

To which part of GE should we attribute this PR campaign? Engineers familiar with shielding devices such as PCs and avionics equipment might well want to scrutinize the engineering documents behind these claims of risk. Preferably ones whose paychecks don’t derive from bankers who own TV stations.

As an engineer, I’m persuaded by actual analyses, not claims of authority by companies “waving bloody shirts” about “people might die”. Let’s scrutinize the analysis for a specific, well-documented piece of healthcare equipment. It’s easy to test the vulnerability of such a device.

If GE would like to show us their “most vulnerable” device to test in a test setup, perhaps we can also share their design methodology with the trial lawyers to analyze for potential negligence.

Filed Under

Comments

Comment Title:

  Notify me of follow-up comments

We encourage you to post comments and engage in discussions that advance this post through relevant opinion, anecdotes, links and data. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can report it using the link at the end of each comment. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of CircleID. For more information on our comment policy, see Codes of Conduct.

CircleID Newsletter The Weekly Wrap

More and more professionals are choosing to publish critical posts on CircleID from all corners of the Internet industry. If you find it hard to keep up daily, consider subscribing to our weekly digest. We will provide you a convenient summary report once a week sent directly to your inbox. It's a quick and easy read.

Related

Topics

Domain Names

Sponsored byVerisign

DNS

Sponsored byDNIB.com

Brand Protection

Sponsored byCSC

New TLDs

Sponsored byRadix

Cybersecurity

Sponsored byVerisign

IPv4 Markets

Sponsored byIPv4.Global

Threat Intelligence

Sponsored byWhoisXML API