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Fitness trackers worn on the wrist, glucose monitors that test blood sugar without a prick, and connected toothbrushes that let you know when you’ve missed a spot—welcome to internet-connected healthcare. It’s a new realm of care with breakthroughs big and small. Some you’ll find in your home, some you’ll find inside your doctor’s office, yet all of them are connected. Which means they all need to be protected. After all, they’re not tracking any old data. They’re tracking our health data, one of the most precious things we own.
Internet-connected healthcare, also known as connected medicine, is a broad topic. On the consumer side, it covers everything from smart watches that track health data to wireless blood pressure monitors that you can use at home. On the practitioner side, it accounts for technologies ranging from electronic patient records, network-enabled diagnostic devices, remote patient monitoring in the form of wearable devices, apps for therapy, and even small cameras that can be swallowed in the form of a pill to get a view of a patient’s digestive system.
Additionally, it also includes telemedicine visits, where you can get a medical issue diagnosed and treated remotely via your smartphone or computer by way of a video conference or a healthcare provider’s portal—which you can read about more in one of my blogs. In all, big digital changes are taking place in healthcare—a transformation that’s rapidly taking shape to the tune of a global market expected to top USD 534.3 billion by 2025.
Advances in digital healthcare have come more slowly compared to other aspects of our lives, such as consumer devices like phones and tablets. Security is a top reason why. Not only must a healthcare device go through a rigorous design and approval process to ensure it’s safe, sound, and effective, but it’s also held to similar rigorous degrees of regulation when it comes to medical data privacy. For example, in the U.S., we have the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), which sets privacy and security standards for certain health information.
Taken together, this requires additional development time for any connected medical device or solution, in addition to the time it takes to develop one with the proper efficacy. Healthcare device manufacturers cannot simply move as quickly as, say, a smartphone manufacturer can. And rightfully so.
However, for this blog, we’ll focus on the home and personal side of the equation, with devices like fitness trackers, glucose monitors, smartwatches, and wearable devices in general—connected healthcare devices that more and more of us are purchasing on our own. To be clear, while these devices may not always be categorized as healthcare devices in the strictest (and regulatory) sense, they are gathering your health data, which you should absolutely protect. Here are some straightforward steps you can take:
1) First up, protect your phone
Many medical IoT devices use a smartphone as an interface, and as a means of gathering, storing, and sharing health data. So whether you’re an Android owner or iOS owner, get security software installed on your phone so you can protect all the things it accesses and controls. Additionally, installing it will protect you and your phone in general as well.
2) Set strong, unique passwords for your medical IoT devices
Some IoT devices have found themselves open to attack because they come with a default username and password—which are often published on the internet. When you purchase any IoT device, set a fresh password using a strong method of password creation. And keep those passwords safe. Instead of keeping them in a notebook or on sticky notes, consider using a password manager.
3) Use two-factor authentication
You’ve probably come across two-factor authentication while banking, shopping, or logging into any other number of accounts. Using a combination of your username, password, and a security code sent to another device you own (typically a mobile phone) makes it tougher for hackers to crack your device. If your IoT device supports two-factor authentication, use it for extra security.
4) Update your devices regularly
This is vital. Make sure you have the latest updates so that you get the latest functionality from your device. Equally important is that updates often contain security upgrades. If you can set your device to receive automatic updates, do so.
5) Secure your internet router
Your medical IoT device will invariably use your home Wi-Fi network to connect to the internet, just like your other devices. All the data that travels on there is personal and private, and that goes double for any health data that passes along it. Make sure you use a strong and unique password. Also, change the name of your router so it doesn’t give away your address or identity. One more step is to check that your router is using an encryption method, like WPA2, which will keep your signal secure. You may also want to consider investing in an advanced internet router that has built-in protection, which can secure and monitor any device that connects to your network.
6) Use a VPN and a comprehensive security solution
Similar to the above, another way you can further protect the health data you send over the internet is to use a virtual private network, or VPN. A VPN uses an encrypted connection to send and receive data, which shields it from prying eyes. A hacker attempting to eavesdrop on your session will effectively see a mishmash of garbage data, which helps keep your health data secure.
7) When purchasing, do your research
Read up on reviews and comments about the devices you’re interested in, along with news articles about their manufacturers. See what their track record is on security, such as if they’ve exposed data or otherwise left their users open to attack.
Bottom line, when we speak of connected healthcare, we’re ultimately speaking about one of the most personal things you own: your health data. That’s what’s being collected. And that’s what’s being transmitted by your home network. Take these extra measures to protect your devices, data, and yourself as you enjoy the benefits of the connected care you bring into your life and home.
The post How to Protect Your Internet-Connected Healthcare Devices appeared first on McAfee Blog.
For weeks and even months now, millions of us have relied on the internet in ways we haven’t before. We’ve worked remotely on it, our children have schooled from home on it, and we’ve pushed the limits of our household bandwidth as families have streamed, gamed, and conferenced all at the same time. Something else is new—more and more of us have visited our doctors and healthcare professionals online. Needless to say, this is an entirely new experience for many. And with that, I got to thinking about seniors. What’s been their experience with telemedicine? What concerns have they had? And how can we help?
For starters, an online doctor’s visit is known as telemedicine—a way of diagnosing and treating a medical issue remotely. With telemedicine, care comes from your smartphone or computer via a video conference or a healthcare provider’s portal.
Telemedicine is not new at all. It’s been in use for some time now, such as in rural communities that have little access to local healthcare professionals, in cases of ongoing treatment like heart health monitoring and diabetes care, and in situations where a visit to the doctor’s office simply isn’t practical. What is new is this: telemedicine has made a significant leap in recent months.
A recent global consumer survey by Dynata took a closer look at this trend. The research spanned age groups and nations across North America and Europe, which found that 39% of its respondents consulted a physician or healthcare professional online in the past few months. Of them, two-thirds said they used telemedicine as part of their care. Yet more telling, 84% of those who recently had a telemedicine appointment said this was the first time they used telemedicine.
Dynata’s study also looked at their attitudes and experiences with telemedicine based on age and reported that members of the Baby Boomer generation found the experience satisfactory—just over 55%. Interestingly, this was also quite consistent across other age groups, with all hovering just above or below that same level of satisfaction.
Another study gives us insight into how seniors’ opinions about telemedicine may have changed in the past year. We can contrast the findings above with a University of Michigan study that polled American adults aged 50 to 80 in the middle of 2019. On the topic of telemedicine, the research found that:
The University of Michigan study also asked how older Americans felt about telemedicine visits. At that time in 2019, only 14% said that their provider offered telemedicine visits, while 55% didn’t know if they had the option available to them at all. Just a small number, 4%, said they’d had a telemedicine visit within the year. Needless to say, it’ll be interesting to see what 2020’s results would have to say should the university run this poll again.
In terms of their experience with telemedicine, of those who had at least one telemedicine visit, 58% felt that in-person office visits provided an overall better level of care, and about 55% felt that in-person visits were better for communicating with their healthcare professional and feeling better cared-for overall.
→ Dig Deeper: 6 Tips for a Safer and Easier Telemedicine Visit
While it may seem daunting for seniors to navigate the world of telemedicine, there are several advantages to this healthcare approach. One of the main benefits of telemedicine is the elimination of travel time. This can be particularly beneficial for seniors with mobility issues or living in rural areas lacking transportation. As all consultations are conducted virtually, seniors can access healthcare from the comfort of their homes.
Another benefit is the ease of monitoring chronic conditions. Telemedicine allows healthcare providers to closely monitor patients’ symptoms and adjust treatment plans without requiring frequent office visits. This not only saves time but can also lead to better health outcomes. With health trackers and mobile applications, healthcare providers can remotely monitor vitals like blood sugar levels or heart rate, enabling immediate intervention if required.
→ Dig Deeper: How to Make Telehealth Safer for a More Convenient Life Online
The main barrier to telemedicine for seniors is often technology. A lack of familiarity with the required devices and applications can prove daunting for some. However, with a little help and guidance, this can be overcome. Caregivers, family members, or telemedicine providers can teach seniors how to use the necessary technology. Various user-friendly applications are designed with seniors in mind, simplifying the process.
Providers also often have customer support available to assist with any technological difficulties. It’s essential to remember that the benefits of telemedicine can considerably outweigh the initial learning curve of navigating these new tools. Practice and patience can go a long way in making telemedicine a comfortable and convenient option for seniors.
McAfee Pro Tip: One essential item seniors should have during their visit is a dependable device they are familiar with. This could include a desktop computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet. Remember that certain telemedicine solutions used by healthcare providers might have specific requirements, so it’s important to check those and ensure their devices are compatible.
Telemedicine can benefit seniors, offering more accessible healthcare services and better chronic condition management. While technological may seem challenging, it can be successfully navigated with the right guidance and support. Ultimately, telemedicine is a tool to improve healthcare accessibility and outcomes for seniors, and taking the first steps towards embracing it can lead to better health and comfort.
Improve your telemedicine use with McAfee+, which comes with identity monitoring, unlimited VPN, antivirus, scam protection, data cleanup, and more.
The post Medical Care From Home: Telemedicine and Seniors appeared first on McAfee Blog.
Wouldn’t it be nice if, along with grades for English, Science, and Algebra this year, our child’s report card included quarterly feedback on their mental health?
Recently, actor Tom Holland of Spider-Man fame reported on his mental health publicly by deleting several of his social media accounts. The actor stated that his social media accounts had become “detrimental” to his mental state and that he “spirals” when he reads things about himself online. He used words like “overstimulating” and “overwhelming.”
And parents were likely “overjoyed” giving cyber high fives all around with Holland’s transparency in talking so publicly about social media’s link to mental health. Because if you are a parent you know.
As we head into a new school year with high hopes in tow, Holland’s decision also challenges us to pay closer attention to how social media could potentially impact our kids’ mental health.
Every child’s maturity and cognitive ability to handle online challenges will differ, so a one-size-fits-all digital wellbeing plan isn’t likely to work. Here are a few insights and tips that may be helpful as you shape the method that works for your family.
Explore healthy social media limits.
Any way you slice it, many unknowns come with every new school year, especially if you have tweens or teens. Social media adds a layer of complexity to those unknowns. However, with some forethought and follow-through, you can navigate those risks one day at a time.
The post Back-to-School: Balancing Social Media & Mental Health appeared first on McAfee Blog.
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