Today, almost every home has Internet of Things devices – from TVs and voice assistants to smart doorbells and surveillance systems. The latter, in turn, allows users to monitor everything happening at home and around it, specifically to watch real-time video and save it, as well as receive notifications.
However, these same features can expose users to certain risks if the camera is broken or there is a data leak. It should be understood that not all manufacturers pay due attention to the privacy and security of cameras. Before purchasing this device, you need to understand why you need it, what types of cameras exist, and what the risks of using it are.
To help you understand, ESET specialists have prepared answers to frequently asked questions that should assist in choosing a device.
1. What privacy and security risks do cameras pose?
Despite the fact that surveillance systems are designed to protect homes, their installation can also pose certain dangers to owners. In the worst-case scenario, hackers can gain access to devices and monitor the family or check the absence of owners in the house to carry out various malicious activities.
In particular, cybercriminals can gain access to surveillance cameras through a home network, for example, by guessing or cracking the Wi-Fi password. However, a more likely scenario is an attack during which attackers guess or crack the passwords of your accounts or exploit an unpatched software vulnerability.
2. What should be considered when choosing a supplier?
Reliable encryption and high-quality software ensure the security of the cameras. ESET.
Since there are many models available on the market, it is advisable to research their manufacturers. To choose a reliable supplier, first you need to find
information about his experience in creating quality products in the market, as well as read user reviews.
During monitoring, it is important to pay attention to ensuring the privacy and security of the cameras, specifically the speed of patch installation, the presence of reliable encryption, security measures during login, and a transparent privacy policy. It is worth noting that there was a case where one specialist was able to monitor hundreds of homes for more than 4 years after adding their email address during the setup.
3. Is it known what happens to the saved data?
Another potential risk is the location where your data is stored. Therefore, it is necessary to determine where the camera data is stored, specifically whether it is local or in the cloud, and how secure it is. In its transparency report, the company Ring, which is owned by Amazon, stated that it had handed over a large number of its users’ accounts to U.S. authorities, in some cases even without the device owner’s consent. Since many people may not like such a policy, it is advisable to learn more about the terms of data storage by the camera manufacturer.
4. What is necessary for the security of surveillance cameras?
The confidentiality of data and the security of video surveillance systems also depend on the user themselves. Therefore, after acquiring the device, you should immediately change the default password and create a reliable and unique combination. For additional security of the cameras, it is advisable to use two-factor authentication.
Moreover, it is necessary to regularly update devices to the latest version to avoid hackers exploiting software vulnerabilities. Disabling remote video access minimizes the likelihood of a hacker accessing your data.
5. How to properly set up a smart home?
Properly configured video surveillance systems will ensure the user’s safety. ESET.
The security of the camera also depends on other home devices. For example, your router, which ensures the operation of smart home devices, may be incorrectly configured. UPnP functions and port forwarding, which allow finding other devices on the same network, can be exploited by hackers to gain access to cameras. Therefore, these features should be disabled for the router, but keep in mind that this may also interfere with the operation of some applications and devices.
6. How to check if the surveillance system is broken?
Determining that a device has been hacked by hackers is quite difficult. The most common signs are atypical camera movements or strange sounds coming from it, as well as the inability to log into the account due to a password change.
Moreover, attention should be paid to increased data usage or low device performance. Since unauthorized access to your camera can cause it to work slower due to limited memory and processor power. However, this could also be a result of a poor Internet connection.
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