Published: August 15, 2022 on our newsletter Security Fraud News & Alerts Newsletter.
As part of the world’s IoT (Internet of Things) interior security cameras have become a hot-button security issue. With increasing numbers of cameras being used, many as part of smart homes, come increased complaints. One of the biggest criticisms come from camera owner’s who’ve experienced a total loss of privacy in their home.
Once installed inside a home, it appears some of these security cameras are anything but secure. Everything attached to the IoT can be hacked, and some of the creepiest hackers are flat out spying on these homes and the people inside. It’s how some homeowners learn they’re being spied upon that should concern us all.
As with any hack, some are more intrusive than others. Losing your privacy inside your own home is a serious invasion, and how you can tell it’s happening can be invaluable to your peace of mind. The following are examples of how others came to learn their home camera system was hacked.
Many interior cameras have a two-way talk interface where a hacker can hear and see you, and you can hear them. This also includes hackers creeping-in on baby monitors, a chilling reality. Many camera owners hear someone talking and making noises. That would be the hacker being noisy, and no, you’re not crazy.
Still others have communicated directly with the hacker, only to get insulted, cursed-out, and even sexually harassed. Some notice their cloud-connected cameras inexplicably use a ton of data. Others find their password and login data has been changed, meaning control of cameras in their home is now in the hacker’s hands.
Keep Your Home Camera System Under Your Control
There are ways to help ensure your interior cameras stay under your control and keep hackers from spying on your home and those in it. It’s all about setting and using strong access protections, and they are listed below.
Make your login data hard to guess, and don’t reuse it from other online accounts. Regularly change this information before a hacker gets their hands on it. Remember to use a unique password for every single account.
Use 2FA (two-factor authentication) if it’s available. It provides an additional layer of identity protection that can keep hackers out.
Keep your WiFi password-protected, and don’t use the default password. These can be easily found if a hacker knows where to look, and they do. Change it immediately upon installation or first use of any new IoT device.
Keep your camera software updated and security bugs patched as soon as possible. It’s also recommended to enable auto-update.
Use interior cameras from reputable manufacturers. Make sure to read reviews and keep a sharp lookout for those who’ve had hacking issues.
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