People install home security cameras in their homes to add an extra layer of defense to fend off criminals. With one, burglars and trespassers will be less likely to break into your home without first alerting authorities and being identified. More than a security feature, this camera gives homeowners peace of mind.
But what if we told you that while these cameras deter crime, other bad guys like hackers or some companies might be sneaking a peek at your camera's live feed without your knowledge? This is real, and people have already been jailed for doing so.
Internet-capable security cameras are an excellent way to monitor your home or business. However, being connected to the Internet exposes the device and your home to a variety of risks. Check out this guide if you have a security camera at home to ensure your device is secure and your data is well protected.
Make Home Security Cameras More Secure
According to CNET, the first step in removing the risk of hacking from your home security is to understand how vulnerable your devices are. Whether you have professionally monitored security systems like Comcast Xfinity, Vivint, or ADT or stand-alone cameras like Ring, Arlo, and Nest, you are not safe from security risks targeting your home cameras.
Most professionally monitored security cameras and individually sold cameras from reputable developers like the ones previously mentioned come with high-end encryption. This means that your home security camera will always be secured from hacking and firmware vulnerabilities as long as you keep it up to date with the latest security updates and patches. This could be proven effective against burglars who use unencrypted data to tell if someone is at home.
Be Safe Against Hacking
In 2021, hackers gained access to millions of baby monitors, and a technician for ADT was sentenced to prison for hacking hundreds of home cameras to spy on women.
It can be extremely alarming when threats can sometimes be inside jobs. With this, CNET informs us that security companies appear to be purposefully using multiple levels of security to protect clients from potential abuse by installers and technicians.
Simply put: do not trust anyone. It is better to be vigilant that be sorry later.
If your device is not secure enough, it is alarmingly simple for a criminal to hack the security camera. The video below shows how simple it can be to control a security camera without additional safety features.
A hacker must be within the wireless network range of the camera in order to access it locally. There, they would have to use a variety of techniques to gain access to the wireless network, like brute-forcing the security passphrase or spoofing the wireless network and jamming the real one, said a security expert.
Finally, this one is fairly simple. Think about how your smart home security systems work. Do they use batteries or a plug-in power source? After any power outage, make sure your plugged-in electronics are functional. You should also regularly check the performance of your battery-operated electronics.
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