How can my security cameras be hacked?
There are many ways hackers can exploit your security camerasâ vulnerabilities to gain access to your private footage, from stealing credentials from other
vulnerable sites to gaining access to your router to hack the attached security cameras. You never know how good of a hacker youâre up against, so itâs best to
secure all of your devices as best as possible â especially your surveillance cameras.
Tip #1: Change your passwords (right now)
The most popular way hackers gain access to your security system is by using credentials that they stole from a separate data breach. Over 50% of internet users
report using the same password or a slightly modified version of 1 password across multiple domains .Are you using the same password across multiple domains?
Consider varying your passwords from site to site and making all of them different and challenging to guess. The simplest way to do this is by including lowercase,
uppercase, a number, and even a special character like an exclamation point. The more characters you include in your password and the more complex your password is,
the harder it will be to crack.If youâre going to do it the âeasyâ way, make sure you donât include identifying information that can be found anywhere on the internet
or social media in your chosen new password.
Tip #2: Use a password manager
Although you could potentially come up with solid passwords by yourself, we recommend using a password manager like LastPass. Programs like LastPass generate strong,
random passwords for your digital accounts and securely store them for you. As long as you have secure login and password to a password manager, you can keep all of
your passwords in one location. With LastPass, as long as you are logged in, you can automatically insert passwords on an array of devices and web browsers.
Tip #3: Set up two-factor authentication
This step might require some knowledge to accomplish, but if you can figure out two-factor authentication, itâs a great extra layer of security. Two-factor
authentication requires you to input a second password that is randomly generated every time you log in to your security cameras. While some security companies offer
two-factor authentication by default, many do not have that option built-in. You can have the authentication app (like the one by LastPass) send your phone an SMS
code automatically when you log in to certain websites, or you can access randomly generated codes that change every couple of minutes. You can learn about the
LastPass Authenticator here.
Tip #4: Have your security system professionally installed
The United States is home to 29.8% of security system hacks globally â more than any other country. The core problem with IP cameras is they are all connected to the
internet â where hackers are constantly finding new ways to gain access to private data.Unfortunately, there isnât a single brand that can confidently say,
âour security cameras are unhackable.â From Amazon Ring and Google Nest to Panasonic, Sony, or Linksys â theyâve all been hacked.Thankfully, you can take steps to
ensure that there are no data vulnerabilities, but this is where things get complicated, which is why we recommend talking to a professional installer like
CameraSecurityNow.com directly.