barrydgold@ca.rr.com
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2017 16:40:01 -0700
Benoit Goas wrote:
> I just downloaded a set of (obviously personal) medical images from an
> imaging lab, which allows downloads only as executable zip file (their
> website runs only with silverlight, but that's not the main issue).
Goas's message highlights another problem: encapsulating images in executable files.
I ran into this recently. I was rear-ended and sought treatment for the resulting whiplash injury. I started with an orthopedist, who took x-rays and found no skeletal problems. He prescribed chiropractic and/or physical therapy, and gave me my images on a CD (or DVD).
I brought the DVD to a chiropractor's office, and they viewed the images -- by running an EXECUTABLE file on the CD/DVD.
Apparently there is no standardized format (or formats) for medical images,
so instead of just sending an image it is "normal" to send the image in an
executable that will display it -- assuming that the recipient is running an
OS that can run that executable.
What happens if the recipient has a Mac instead of a PC/Windows? Or a Linux system? Or some more esoteric OS?
But worse yet, the recipient is running an .exe file from an outside source.
Suppose my orthopedist's office has been infected by malware? Then the
chiropractor's computer is now _also_ infected with that malware. Any
professional I see about this problem will want to see those images, and
will promptly be infected with the malware.
What a mess!