Watch full SecurityWeek videoAnother stunt was to reveal how a diabetic’s insulin pump — which is designed to deliver insulin to the body day and night — could be hacked from 300ft away, so it could dispense a fatal dose.Jack, who had been obsessed with computers since childhood, emigrated to the U.S. At the age of 21 and joined a firm specialising in computer security issues.In recent years, he had developed a specific interest in what is known as ‘embedded’ technology, the hardware and software built into everyday objects such as cars, banking systems, home appliances and medical devices. The death has been linked to that of Michael Hastings, a young American journalist who died in a car crashHastings complained about the U.S. Being a ‘surveillance state’ and his death in a car crash in Los Angeles in June was widely reported as suspicious.Then there is yet another theory about Jack’s death.
Could the multi-million-dollar healthcare industry have silenced him?After all, he was about to expose a huge flaw in one of its most lucrative devices that could cost it untold millions, and cause a major public embarrassment.It’s certainly true industries have not always appreciated hackers such as Jack publicly exposing their security weaknesses.Dan Kaminsky, a security researcher and close friend, says Jack had recently had ‘uncomfortable meetings’ with cash machine manufacturers and makers of electronic medical devices. ‘I’m sure he made enemies,’ he adds. Dan Kaminsky, a security researcher and close friend, says Jack had recently had 'uncomfortable meetings' and was sure he had enemiesBut he explained that while Jack was a ‘pain in the butt’ for the companies whose products he hacked, he at least tried to keep them informed of what he was doing.There is universal concern in such businesses about the vulnerability to sabotage of devices that work wirelessly, via the internet.And David Marcus, an expert at the security technology company McAfee, says Jack was at the cutting edge of such research. Manufacturers of items such as cash machines and insulin pumps have been forced to alter their designs following Jack’s revelations about how easily they can be sabotaged.They are also deeply worried that the exploits of Barnaby Jack and other hackers will encourage less scrupulous people to try it for themselves. It’s certainly true that the speech he was due to give was greatly anticipated.Previous similar demonstrations attracted huge audiences. One in Melbourne, Australia, last year, saw Jack deliver an 830-jolt to a pacemaker by logging into it remotely.