How To Protect Your Home Security Camera From Being Hacked?

There are some measures you take as a homeowner to protect your family and the property they inhabit.

If you want to protect your house from intruders, you may install a security system or simply make sure every window and door is securely closed at night.

Having a home security camera installed is like having a second set of eyes keeping an eye on your property. Conversely, you may not know this, but your home security camera might be hacked.

This article will discuss measures you may do to secure your home security camera video from cybercriminals. If you want to know more, keep reading!

Why Would Someone Try To Hack A Security Cam? What Is In Risk?

There are many reasons why someone would wish to get into a surveillance system, and not all of them are evil.

Some people, known as white hat hackers or "good guys," make a living by breaking into computer systems in order to discover and fix security flaws in both software and hardware.

As soon as they discover a security hole, they report it to the relevant makers so that they may patch it and improve the product's overall safety.

The fixes will prevent the "bad guys," commonly known as "black hat" hackers, from being the first to find and exploit the flaw.

The media routinely covers incidents involving good guys. It may not always be obvious, however, that the occurrence was planned by the maker in order to identify and address any defects.

However, telling consumers that a security weakness has been found and a fix has been developed and is now accessible to them is an important reason to make the finding public.

If someone were to attempt to get into your security cameras, it would likely be to offer their expertise in strengthening the system's defences.

However, there are a number of malicious reasons why somebody could attempt to breach security cameras. Most of the time, one of these two approaches will do the trick:

Having Access To Powerful Processors

The first goal may catch you off guard. The black hat hacking community, however, is keen on breaking into IoT devices like security cameras and the like because to the gadgets' exceptionally powerful CPUs. Check this list of high-quality and affordable Melbourne CCTV to help you decide which product to choose for your home security.

Essentially, their goal is to put to work the computational muscle already there in the cameras themselves. Hackers have exploited a wide variety of embedded Linux devices in recent years, diverting their processing power to the resource-intensive operation of bitcoin mining.

Due to the lack of direct assault, it is likely that no sensitive information is compromised for the entity or person using the cameras. While this is a step in the right direction, the fact that their resources are being utilised by an outside source and that this activity may be tracked back to the devices' CPUs makes things far from perfect.

Sensitive Data Access:

Secondly, and probably more obviously, hackers target security cameras to get access to private data kept on the cameras' networks.

Having all the advantages of real-time monitoring from portable devices like smartphones and tablets, new security cameras are networked to the user's network. However, since these cameras are networked, they also serve as a potential entry point for hackers who are able to locate and exploit this vulnerability.

In addition to other user data, a hacker may be interested in acquiring access to a company's proprietary information, the personal data of a company's workers for the purpose of launching phishing scams, or financial information.

Direct attacks target individual users, and hackers may take advantage of a broad range of vulnerabilities to launch such assaults.

What Ways Do Hackers Access Your Cameras?

To begin, you must have a firm grasp on the idea that any hacking operation that is effective in getting access to and transferring data takes place over a period of time and involves many steps. It is not feasible to get access to your network's most sensitive information through hacking a single device.

Being so tough to hack works in your favour as a user. Knowing the procedures may help you better prepare for a catastrophic hacking incident and appreciate the need for numerous levels of security.

The only thing standing between you and the next stage is locating the gadget and obtaining access to it. The mere possession of the gadget does not provide the hacker entry into the network. This basically gives them full access to whatever data recorded on that camera or device.

However, a hacker may be able to get access to the camera by obtaining the user's email account and password. At this moment, the attack will divide into two halves.

Hacking into a computer system's camera is only the first step in a multi-stage assault in which the hacker will use the data he or she has gathered to gain access to other parts of the system.

A hacker might use the email address to conduct a phishing attack or transmit malicious software to the user. It would provide the hacker access to the target's computer if the email was opened.

If the hacker's email is read, the hacker may be able to take over the target's machine, view any data stored on it, and even take over the network it is linked to. A hacker might easily acquire access to private data, for example, by gaining access to all files on the computer, watching every keystroke and consequently figuring out additional passwords, and so on.

If the target device is network-connected, the third stage of an attack might include breaking into the system via the device's connection.

Even while many smart devices shouldn't be permitted direct access across a firewall and onto the network, security cameras that provide remote user connection in order to see live video do need such access.

Since this channel exists, a hacker may be able to identify and exploit that channel from the user's device into their network if the proper steps are not taken to safeguard the channel opened up by remote access.

If the only thing standing between them and the rest of the network is a password, they will be able to easily break in and access everything and everything that is stored there. 

Users may take heart in the fact that there are many countermeasures available to them to ensure that no hacking efforts succeed.

While the motivations of those who break into security cameras are a different topic entirely, it is important to be aware of two typical techniques used by hackers to get access to data stored on wireless networks.

Hacking A Local WiFi Network

In the first, the intruder is in your WiFi's range while physically present. The hacker will either guess your WiFi password or construct a clone of your network, known as a spoof, which appears similar to your original WiFi network. Then, to coerce you into joining their network, they'll shut down yours entirely. The first step in creating difficulty when someone has your password is for them to use it to connect into your existing WiFi network.

Attack On Remote Hacking

Even if these local assaults are feasible, their chance is substantially smaller than that of a distant attack. Hackers may conduct remote assaults if they are able to access your true password information. The next issue is how they manage to get a hold of your password. Sometimes, when users choose weak passwords like 123456, or 11111, hackers are able to test a lot of the most frequent and default passwords until they achieve it correctly. This occurs when users choose easy-to-guess passphrases like "11111," "password," or "123456."

Data Breaches

Hackers may also search for passwords using data stolen from other websites that have been breached. You should expect them to check your email address against previous passwords you've used online. Because most individuals are too lazy to use a new password for every service they use, hackers may safely assume that any password used on a previously compromised site will also be used on the target service.

Phishing

Passwords may also be stolen through the increasingly frequent practise of phishing. The hackers will try to trick you into clicking on a malicious email or link by making it seem important. Phishing is the term for this kind of attack. Assume that it will advise you to reset your passwords and verify your email since it believes your account has already been compromised.

But if you "confirm" your information by clicking the link, you'll be handing it over to a hacker who may then use it to access your home security app and take over.

If they manage to hack one device, they will try to crack the others ("land and expand"). (As a side note, never confirm sensitive account credentials by clicking on an unexpected link. Instead of going to the site by putting the URL into the browser, launch the app first, and then log in from there.

Do not hesitate to contact the home security camera system's customer support department for clarification if you have any concerns regarding the authenticity of the request.

How Can You Avoid Information Stealing By Hackers?

There are several ways to shield oneself against cybercriminals, including employing a pair of authentication methods. SecurityNerd.com, an informational website, cites these recommendations from its founder and editor-in-chief Elena Mauer.

Make sure that your username and password are both complex and tough to guess. Too many individuals either don't bother to change the default password or use something simple like "password," "1234", or even their own birthdays.

Passwords should be at least eight characters long and include both alphanumeric characters and special characters like numbers and punctuation. You should change the passwords for your WiFi network, security system, and other devices on a frequent basis.

If you wish to need a password for any new devices connecting to your network, you should set up the WPA2 security protocol on your router; for more information, contact the manufacturer of your router. If you can't get your current router to work, you may want to look into upgrading to one that supports WPA2 security.

Never use a public wifi network to access your security camera or other home monitoring device. To ensure your personal safety, please do so. Even if it may be tempting to utilise a public Wi-Fi network to check in from a cafe or the park, keep in mind that hackers may easily access data sent over these networks. Don't bother checking in while you're there, even if you probably want to.

Access to one's accounts may be monitored and verified using a number of different security systems and cameras. Make sure there hasn't been any unusual behaviour by checking in on them often. You should change your passwords promptly if you suspect that an unauthorised person has gained access to your account. Though it might be inconvenient, changing your password often is really a security must.

You should keep an eye out for any strange behaviour, such as the camera showing signs of being on when you haven't turned it on (often a light will turn on) or the camera moving or panning on its own without you touching it. That might mean that someone else has used it before you.

Your friends and relatives shouldn't be able to access anything on your account if they use your login information. A better solution would be to provide each person their own login and password, allowing you to control their level of access with relative ease. If you take these precautions, your password will be safe from prying eyes.

A number of measures may be taken to safeguard your data, including installing your cameras on the network appropriately, using strong passwords, and being cautious about the attachments you download from unknown senders. Planning to put a security system in your place? 

If the following measures are taken and implemented properly, a hacker's discovery of even a single camera on your network will not automatically provide them access to your private information. This is due to the fact that the measures will deter people from acting in that way.

Use Different Networks

Protect your data by keeping your security cameras on a different network. It's advisable to do so anyway since installing a security camera system will use a lot of bandwidth and slow down your broadband network.

However, this procedure will also secure your private information by putting the camera system on a different network and keeping it apart from the sensitive data. As a result, even if the cameras were hacked, the perpetrator would only be able to see what was being captured by the cameras.

Video footage could still be watched remotely through the user's network if the recorder was linked to that, but at that point there would be only one connection to the user's network for the whole video system, rather than one for each camera.

In addition, strict management and security mechanisms might be applied to this one location to prevent it from becoming a weak spot for the network as a whole.

Make Use Of A VPN (Virtual Private Network)

An alternative to the previously mentioned technique that provides additional security is to use a virtual private network (VPN). A virtual private network is essential if you want to regularly watch the video from your security cameras while away from home (VPN).

By connecting a distant device to a LAN, you may perform actions on it that would normally need physical proximity to the device (LAN). Accessing the local network from a distant device creates a conduit that can't be masked by porting in a firewall, even if doing so would provide an extra layer of security. For all intents and purposes, it would be the same as leaving the door to your firewall wide open with just the password protecting you.

A virtual private network (VPN), on the other hand, will link that gadget to your network through an encrypted tunnel, making the link very secure. It would be the same as having a secret backdoor into the network if this gadget could connect to it. Remote access still involves a connection being made between the device and the network, but since that connection is encrypted, it is essentially hidden from view and cannot be viewed by unauthorised persons.

Access The Cloud

If you can't set up a VPN for the security cameras specifically, then using the cloud access features is the next best thing. Numerous camera makers now provide models that connect to their own cloud service and may be accessed remotely.

In this setup, everything from devices to controls to recorded video is kept on a server that is available to you, the end user, through the cloud and is subject to rigors security measures.

Thus, your devices are housed on a server outside of your network, much like a remote meeting location, rather than inside your network proper or in a manner that a hacker may acquire direct access by tapping into your device. A hacker won't be able to acquire access to your device in this way.

Even if someone did discover a method to get into your cameras, they would be doing it inside a highly protected and watched network. In addition to increasing the likelihood of their capture, this would severely limit the harm they might do. They would be completely cut off from your system.

Accessing your security cameras remotely would still be useful, but there would be no need to worry about a security breach in your network.

Port Forwarding

This is the most basic method of protecting your surveillance cameras, and as such, it is also the most vulnerable and commonly abused.

A port is opened via the firewall and into the network whenever a remote connection is made to a camera or recorder. The process of port forwarding is similar to that of firewall upkeep. A password is required to protect this exposed socket.

If a hacker is in close proximity to your network when you join remotely, they will know that you have opened the front door. All that stands between them, and entry is the secret password. Unfortunately, most hackers will have no trouble gaining access to your machine via the open door if your password seems to be either weak or has never been changed from the factory default.

When compared to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or cloud access method, port forwarding inside your firewall is less secure since hackers who are watching may readily observe when the port is opened. Due to the encrypted nature of your data as it travels over the internet, this is possible with a virtual private network.

From that point on, they have a limited time frame in which to try different combinations of passwords in an effort to get access to the building.

Using a virtual private network (VPN) or the cloud hides your true IP address by routeing your traffic via an intermediary server in another country, both of which are difficult for hackers to detect. Therefore, rather than entering your home, you are, in effect, unlocking a previously inaccessible hidden door or secret passageway.

If you don't have access to a virtual private network (VPN) and your security camera's manufacturer doesn't provide cloud access, port forwarding may be your only choice. It should also be routine to produce very secure passcodes, ones that are changed often and cannot be readily guessed or duplicated.

Be Password Aware

Whether you connect using a VPN, a dedicated network, the cloud, or even a port forwarding setup, it's important to ensure that all of your devices have strong passwords. Among the greatest and simplest ways to boost the safety of your electronic gadgets, this ranks high.

Safe passwords include:

• ARE NOT the factory defaults
• Those that you haven't used for any of your other gadgets, profiles, or accounts
• are not simple to predict (first and last names, birthdates, 1234, etc.)
• Are frequently changed
• Password protection is an important measure to take to keep hackers out of your system.

Remain Up To Date

You should routinely check for updates to ensure that your gadgets and network routers are always up-to-date. As manufacturers discover vulnerabilities, they will provide patches, which means users will need to regularly upgrade their devices to benefit from the latest security measures.

To restate, a hacker's ability to discover one of your devices is no guarantee that they will be able to access and compromise it. In order to keep your devices and data secure, you should take the measures mentioned above.

Conclusion

There are many reasons why someone would wish to get into a surveillance system, and not all of them are evil. Black hat hacking community is keen on breaking into IoT devices like security cameras and the like because to the gadgets' exceptionally powerful CPUs. Check this list of high-quality and affordable Melbourne CCTV to help you decide which product to choose for home security. Hackers target security cameras to get access to private data kept on the networks. Hackers have exploited a wide variety of embedded Linux devices in recent years, diverting their processing power to the resource-intensive operation of bitcoin mining.

Knowing the procedures may help you better prepare for a catastrophic hacking incident. A hacker might use the email address to conduct a phishing attack or transmit malicious software to the user. It would provide the hacker access to the target's computer if the email was opened. If the target device is network-connected, the third stage of an attack might include breaking into the system. Passwords may also be stolen through the increasingly frequent practise of phishing.

Hackers may conduct remote assaults if they are able to access your password information. The hackers will try to trick you into clicking on a malicious email or link by making it seem important. Passwords should be at least eight characters long and include both alphanumeric characters and special characters like numbers and punctuation. Never use a public wifi network to access your security camera or other home monitoring device. You should change your passwords promptly if you suspect that an unauthorised person has gained access to your account.

A hacker's discovery of a security camera on your network will not automatically provide them access to your private information. A number of measures may be taken to safeguard your data, including using strong passwords and keeping cameras on a different network from each person's login and password. Port Forwarding is the most basic method of protecting your surveillance cameras. Remote access still involves a connection being made between the device and the network, but since that connection is encrypted, it is essentially hidden from view and cannot be viewed by unauthorised persons. Port forwarding inside your firewall is less secure since hackers may observe when the port is opened.

Most hackers will have no trouble gaining access to your machine via the open door if your password seems to be either weak or has never been changed from the factory default. Using a virtual private network or the cloud hides your true IP address by routeing your traffic via an intermediary server. A hacker's ability to discover one of your devices is no guarantee that they will be able to access and compromise it. It should also be routine to produce very secure passcodes, ones that are changed often and cannot be readily guessed or duplicated. Password protection is an important measure to take to keep hackers out of your system.

Content Summary

1. There are some measures you take as a homeowner to protect your family and the property they inhabit.
2. If you want to protect your house from intruders, you may install a security system or simply make sure every window and door is securely closed at night.
3. Having a home security camera installed is like having a second set of eyes keeping an eye on your property.
4. Conversely, you may not know this, but your home security camera might be hacked.
5. This article will discuss measures you may do to secure your home security camera video from cybercriminals.
6. What Is In Risk?There are many reasons why someone would wish to get into a surveillance system, and not all of them are evil.
7. Some people, known as white hat hackers or "good guys," make a living by breaking into computer systems in order to discover and fix security flaws in both software and hardware.
8. If someone were to attempt to get into your security cameras, it would likely be to offer their expertise in strengthening the system's defences.
9. However, there are a number of malicious reasons why somebody could attempt to breach security cameras.
10. The black hat hacking community, however, is keen on breaking into IoT devices like security cameras and the like because to the gadgets' exceptionally powerful CPUs.
11. Check this list of high-quality and affordable Melbourne CCTV to help you decide which product to choose for your home security.
12. Due to the lack of direct assault, it is likely that no sensitive information is compromised for the entity or person using the cameras.
13. Sensitive Data Access:Secondly, and probably more obviously, hackers target security cameras to get access to private data kept on the cameras' networks.
14. However, since these cameras are networked, they also serve as a potential entry point for hackers who are able to locate and exploit this vulnerability.
15. It is not feasible to get access to your network's most sensitive information through hacking a single device.
16. However, a hacker may be able to get access to the camera by obtaining the user's email account and password.
17. Hacking into a computer system's camera is only the first step in a multi-stage assault in which the hacker will use the data he or she has gathered to gain access to other parts of the system.
18. A hacker might use the email address to conduct a phishing attack or transmit malicious software to the user.
19. It would provide the hacker access to the target's computer if the email was opened.
20. If the hacker's email is read, the hacker may be able to take over the target's machine, view any data stored on it, and even take over the network it is linked to.
21. If the target device is network-connected, the third stage of an attack might include breaking into the system via the device's connection.
22. Even while many smart devices shouldn't be permitted direct access across a firewall and onto the network, security cameras that provide remote user connection in order to see live video do need such access.
23. Since this channel exists, a hacker may be able to identify and exploit that channel from the user's device into their network if the proper steps are not taken to safeguard the channel opened up by remote access.
24. If you're looking for high-quality, affordable home & business video alarm systems, you're in the right place!
25. While the motivations of those who break into security cameras are a different topic entirely, it is important to be aware of two typical techniques used by hackers to get access to data stored on wireless networks.
26. Hacking A Local WiFi Network
27. In the first, the intruder is in your WiFi's range while physically present.
28. The hacker will either guess your WiFi password or construct a clone of your network, known as a spoof, which appears similar to your original WiFi network.
29. The first step in creating difficulty when someone has your password is for them to use it to connect into your existing WiFi network.
30. Attack On Remote HackingEven if these local assaults are feasible, their chance is substantially smaller than that of a distant attack.
31. Hackers may conduct remote assaults if they are able to access your true password information.
32. The next issue is how they manage to get a hold of your password.
33. You should expect them to check your email address against previous passwords you've used online.
34. Assume that it will advise you to reset your passwords and verify your email since it believes your account has already been compromised.
35. Do not hesitate to contact the home security camera system's customer support department for clarification if you have any concerns regarding the authenticity of the request.
36. Make sure that your username and password are both complex and tough to guess.
37. You should change the passwords for your WiFi network, security system, and other devices on a frequent basis.
38. If you wish to need a password for any new devices connecting to your network, you should set up the WPA2 security protocol on your router; for more information, contact the manufacturer of your router.
39. Never use a public wifi network to access your security camera or other home monitoring device.
40. Don't bother checking in while you're there, even if you probably want to.
41. Access to one's accounts may be monitored and verified using a number of different security systems and cameras.
42. Make sure there hasn't been any unusual behaviour by checking in on them often.
43. You should change your passwords promptly if you suspect that an unauthorised person has gained access to your account.
44. Though it might be inconvenient, changing your password often is really a security must.
45. Your friends and relatives shouldn't be able to access anything on your account if they use your login information.
46. Planning to put a security system in your place?
47. Use Different NetworksProtect your data by keeping your security cameras on a different network.
48. However, this procedure will also secure your private information by putting the camera system on a different network and keeping it apart from the sensitive data.
49. Make Use Of A Vpn (Virtual Private Network)An alternative to the previously mentioned technique that provides additional security is to use a virtual private network (VPN).
50. A virtual private network is essential if you want to regularly watch the video from your security cameras while away from home (VPN).
51. By connecting a distant device to a LAN, you may perform actions on it that would normally need physical proximity to the device (LAN).
52. Accessing the local network from a distant device creates a conduit that can't be masked by porting in a firewall, even if doing so would provide an extra layer of security.
53. A virtual private network (VPN), on the other hand, will link that gadget to your network through an encrypted tunnel, making the link very secure.
54. Access The CloudIf you can't set up a VPN for the security cameras specifically, then using the cloud access features is the next best thing.
55. Numerous camera makers now provide models that connect to their own cloud service and may be accessed remotely.
56. Thus, your devices are housed on a server outside of your network, much like a remote meeting location, rather than inside your network proper or in a manner that a hacker may acquire direct access by tapping into your device.
57. A hacker won't be able to acquire access to your device in this way.
58. Accessing your security cameras remotely would still be useful, but there would be no need to worry about a security breach in your network.
59. Port ForwardingThis is the most basic method of protecting your surveillance cameras, and as such, it is also the most vulnerable and commonly abused.
60. A port is opened via the firewall and into the network whenever a remote connection is made to a camera or recorder.
61. The process of port forwarding is similar to that of firewall upkeep.
62. When compared to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or cloud access method, port forwarding inside your firewall is less secure since hackers who are watching may readily observe when the port is opened.
63. Due to the encrypted nature of your data as it travels over the internet, this is possible with a virtual private network.
64. Therefore, rather than entering your home, you are, in effect, unlocking a previously inaccessible hidden door or secret passageway.
65. If you don't have access to a virtual private network (VPN) and your security camera's manufacturer doesn't provide cloud access, port forwarding may be your only choice.
66. Be Password AwareWhether you connect using a VPN, a dedicated network, the cloud, or even a port forwarding setup, it's important to ensure that all of your devices have strong passwords.
67. Among the greatest and simplest ways to boost the safety of your electronic gadgets, this ranks high.
68. Are frequently changed Password protection is an important measure to take to keep hackers out of your system.
69. Remain Up To DateYou should routinely check for updates to ensure that your gadgets and network routers are always up-to-date.
70. In order to keep your devices and data secure, you should take the measures mentioned above.