Security cameras are an essential part of home security
systems. Homeowners can use them to watch their property and alert the
authorities if anyone enters the premises without permission. However, there
have been reports of people hacking into these cameras and using them against
homeowners, which is why it is necessary to ensure the safety of home
surveillance cameras.
Home surveillance cameras record video and audio data, which
a remote computer system can then access for later viewing or playback. They
can also be used for motion detection and alerting you during emergencies, such
as someone entering your property or breaking into your car.
Home surveillance systems help to deter crime with their
ability to capture evidence. As a result, homeowners can use the recordings
from their cameras to prove that intruders did break in and show what happened
during the theft. The police can also use these recordings for evidence when
investigating burglaries and robberies.
However, hackers can obtain access to home security cameras
and monitor people's private lives, thus jeopardizing their safety. With
encryption software and frequent updates, though, you can ensure that your
camera will be safe from hackers. This measure ensures that if someone tries to
hack into your system, they will not be able to access or alter any footage.
This article will discuss the importance of home
surveillance cameras and how to keep them from being hacked.
The Importance of Surveillance Cameras for Home Security
Surveillance cameras are an essential aspect of home security systems for the following reasons:
Deter crime: Security cameras are a great way to monitor
what's happening on your property and deter criminals from theft and vandalism.
Monitor scenarios and activities: You can set up alerts for
any suspicious activity in real-time so that you can be alerted if anything
happens.
Gather evidence: Security cameras are great for gathering
evidence as you investigate crimes. They can help identify suspects and
witnesses, making disputes between two parties easier to solve and arriving at
the right decision.
Maintain records: Security cameras can depict important
events on your property and allow you to store them for future reference.
Instant real-time access to footage: Security cameras (as
opposed to older recording devices that could only save the footage for later
review) can provide real-time access. The idea behind the cameras is that you
can access them remotely, so if a crime occurs in the middle of the night,
you'll be alerted immediately.
Evidence for insurance: They provide evidence for insurance
claims and can help you get back on track in the incidence of a burglary.
How Security Cameras Can Get Hacked
Security cameras effectively keep an eye on your house,
business, and other properties. They can monitor events and activities in
real-time and ensure to avert ugly situations by giving warnings when they
occur.
However, the same technology that makes these devices useful
also makes them vulnerable to hackers who would like to access the footage. For
this reason, you should learn how security cameras can be hacked in order to
protect yourself as best as possible.
Faults That Lead to Surveillance Camera Hacking
Password protection: Anyone with a weak password is vulnerable
to hackers, who can easily get into the system and steal information.
Lack of encryption: Encryption methods can be used to secure
the cameras from hackers and unauthorized access. If you don't have an
encryption method on your surveillance system, a hacker can steal all of the
footage.
Lack of authentication: If your device doesn't have an
authentication system feature, such as facial recognition software or a
fingerprint reader, it will be more susceptible to hacking.
Data breaches: Hackers could also gain access by hacking
into another company's server or website. They would find this information
stored online and then steal it.
How to Identify Hacked Security Systems
To ensure the safety of your home surveillance cameras, you should look out for specific signs. If
you recognize any of the following issues with your cameras, it could indicate
that someone has hacked your system.
Unrecognizable noise from your cameras' speakers: It is
normal for some background noise to creep into the audio portion of a video
feed. If this happens frequently or doesn't sound familiar, however, someone
may have hacked your camera(s).
Your LED lights are on unexpectedly when they shouldn't be:
If this happens regularly and doesn't seem related to any other activity
occurring in front of them (e.g., movement), then hackers may be trying to gain
access via their light source, which is a tactic known as reflection mapping attacks.
Your camera pans or tilts unexpectedly: It is possible to
hack into a camera and make it move or tilt so that it points at something
other than the original image.
Your account was accessed on an unknown device: If you get
notified that your account was accessed on an unknown device, then you may be
at risk of a security breach.
How can you protect your security cameras from hackers?
To help guard your security cameras against hackers, follow these steps:
Keep your camera's firmware up to date: Updating the
software on your camera is vital for maintaining security. Hackers could access
sensitive data or even control the camera if you fail.
Change your camera's password: We recommend you change the
password on your camera if it's not already set as a default. Changing your
camera's password will ensure that only those who know the correct code can see
what's happening in your home or business.
Set up a password manager: This will help to prevent hackers
from breaking through by guessing passwords or trying brute-force attacks
against them.
Set up two-factor authentication: Set up two-factor
authentication (2FA) for all your devices with access to sensitive data, such
as security cameras, routers, and other networked devices within the home or
office. This security measure will make it difficult for hackers to access
these systems by requiring both a password and additional information sent via
text message before gaining access.
Secure your network: You can use strong passwords and turn
off Wi-Fi when possible so hackers can't intercept wireless signals from your
computer or phone remotely.
You Are One Step Away From Complete Security
Security cameras are an important part of the average home
or business. However, it is important to ensure they are protected from
hackers. Using a good security camera system is the best way to accomplish
this.
You should also ensure that you have installed a firewall on
your computer and router, upgraded your camera's firmware, and used a secure
password so that hackers cannot access other devices connected to them via
Wi-Fi or wired network ports.
If you suspect that your security cameras have been hacked,
you can contact the manufacturer or retailer to see if they can repair them.
Jessica Coates is a blogger in Toronto. She graduated with
honors from the University of British Columbia with a dual degree in Business
Administration and Creative Writing. Jessica Coates is a community manager for
small businesses across Canada. When not working, she leisurely studies
economics, history, law and business solutions.
