How to keep home security cameras safe?

While security cameras can be useful tools for keeping your home and loved ones safe, it's important to keep your home security cameras safe. Security cameras are not immune to unwanted access and they can be hacked through phishing, security flaws or physical vandalism.

These vulnerabilities can allow strangers to access your video feed, accounts, and even your security system. Finally, hacking security cameras can seriously jeopardize the safety of your home. Here's what you need to know about how home security cameras can be hacked and how to prevent it from happening in the first place.

How can security cameras be hacked?

Security cameras – or more specifically, their Internet-connected feeds – can be hacked in many ways. Virtual hacking occurs more frequently than physical hacking, as more security vulnerabilities exist online such as easily guessed or reused passwords, glitches, and errors. Here's how security cameras can be hacked:

1. Phishing : Phishing occurs when hackers access security camera feeds or accounts by obtaining login information through emails, websites, or fake password requests. According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, more than 90% of cyber attacks involve Phishing.
2. Security bugs or glitches : Hackers can use these vulnerabilities in security camera software to access the camera's feed. Therefore, it is important to keep camera software updated and invest in high-quality, reliable camera brands, rather than cheap ones.
3. During installation or monitoring : Security cameras are especially vulnerable during installation or third-party monitoring, as technicians, installers, and analysts can access the source your data feed. However, home security companies continue to tighten employee access, so this is less of a risk than phishing or security failures.

How to protect your security cameras

Buy security cameras from a reputable brand

While cheap security cameras may seem like a bargain, these cheap cameras can come with serious security flaws. It's better to invest in cameras from more reputable brands with a proven security track record. Once you find a camera you like, make sure it has the security features you need, like encryption or secure remote viewing. Stay away from cameras that don't require a login in their monitoring app to access your feed.

"Unless you pay a reputable security company . there is no easy or cheap solution," said cybersecurity consultant Michael Hasse. He also notes that it's better to stay away from cameras with foreign software because they are most likely "insecure by design."

Use a Wi-Fi Protected Access router (WPA or WPA2)

Wireless Internet is more vulnerable to attacks than wired Internet, so your wireless router must have the necessary security features to protect your devices (and Wi-Fi-enabled security cameras). Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) routers encrypt the Internet and are the first line of defense against hackers.

WPA-2 routers (and the recently released WPA-3) are newer versions of WPA technology, and they are even more secure than traditional WPA routers. If you are using a Wi-Fi enabled security camera, make sure you are also using a WPA router.

Turn on the camera's security features

Many home security cameras include additional security features, like encryption or automatic camera (or microphone) shutdown, which may need to be turned on before use. Encryption prevents hackers from easily accessing your remote feed (or stored video), while the automatic camera shutdown feature can prevent the camera from recording when you're at home.

Some cameras also allow you to turn off the camera's microphone, preventing the camera from recording. Also, don't forget to turn on the router's firewall. This will add another layer of protection to your security cameras.

Consider disconnecting the camera from the internet

Although it may seem like an extreme measure, offline security cameras can be much more secure than online cameras. Hasse says this is one of the best ways to prevent your camera from being hacked. This is because many security camera vulnerabilities stem from their online connection, allowing hackers to access their feed remotely. Security cameras that work with digital video recorders (DVRs) are less susceptible to hacking because the video is stored offline in the physical recorder.

Do not share livestream with others

Some security camera systems allow you to share the camera's livestream with others, such as a caregiver or pet sitter. However, this feature can make the camera more vulnerable to attacks.

If you must share a camera feed, ensure that feed access has an end date and does not allow account access or the ability for users to temporarily share the feed themselves.

Create strong passwords

The longer the password, the harder it is to guess. Even with random characters and symbols, shorter passwords are easier to guess by computer programs than longer passwords. Also, never reuse passwords. This is how most home security cameras are hacked. So, if you use the same password for your security camera across multiple other websites, you're leaving yourself vulnerable. (If you want to see if your email address or password has been exposed, visit Have I Been Pwned).

The easiest way to set a strong password is to use a password manager that generates long, strong passwords that you never have to remember.

These companies have apps and browser extensions that you can use to generate new passwords, store them, and then fill them in on your smartphone, computer, or tablet when needed. need.

Enable two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a security measure that verifies your identity using an additional layer of security beyond your password. This usually involves a separate device or second piece of information (usually a one-time generated code) that you must activate or enter before you can access your account. The benefit of 2FA is that even if someone obtains or guesses your password, they still cannot access your account.

When you set up 2FA on your account, you'll be asked if you want to receive text messages, phone calls, or emails to send these one-time codes. Alternatively, you can use an authenticator app that generates a code every 60 seconds. This is the safest method because hackers could theoretically intercept your text messages, phone calls, and emails.

Aaron Painter, CEO of identity verification company Nametag, suggests examining the thoroughness of a company's security practices to verify customers are who they say they are. He warns that "a bad actor could impersonate the camera owner and claim that they have been locked out of their account. Insecure procedures when resetting MFA can lead to privacy violations" .

Always update your camera's firmware

Firmware is the software that runs your camera. 'Every security camera is a computer, just like a smartphone,' says Arup Mukherjee, a software engineer for 25 years and founder of Camect, a smart network video recorder designed to help Security cameras are safer, said. Like smartphones and computers, the software on cameras will be periodically updated to improve user experience and features like security. You will need to manually check if any firmware updates are available. "Unfortunately, many cameras do not have automatic software updates and can be vulnerable when people discover security vulnerabilities," said Mukherjee .

How to know if a security camera has been hacked?

If your security camera is hacked, it's better to know early. If you realize your camera has been hacked, turn it off immediately and contact the manufacturer or surveillance system. Here are some things to keep in mind.

1. Unknown account information : Security cameras can be hacked if you detect an unknown email or username on your security camera account or app.
2. Unknown logins : Similarly, keep an eye out for login messages that aren't yours - these can also be a sign of unwanted access.
3. Strange noises : Many cameras have speaker functions. If the speakers are turned on and you hear unusual noises coming from them, it could be a sign that the camera has been hacked.
4. Strange movements : If your camera starts rotating or swiveling on its own, it's possible that an unknown user has accessed the camera. Check the camera's access and login history on the application to find out.

Isabella Humphrey

Update 13 August 2024