Hacking internet cameras

A site linked to unsecured IP cameras in countries has hit all of you. And stories about IP camera security vulnerabilities have been coming into light. The core purpose of this post is to draw your attention to the IP camera security issues. Check it and then take proactive measures to prevent your camera from being hacked or watched by some bad guys. Some hack for fun. Hackers try to crack the unsecured security cameras in people's homes as a challenge — they do it just to prove that they can.

It seems as if the hackers were just announcing their success, that's all. And some are after the private information through unsecured IP cameras. Some others may just enjoy the tedious yet exciting moments of preying on the innocent and the unknowing. They are fond of watching unsecured cameras lives like catching criminals in the act or finding hilarious anomalies. Hacking an unsecured IP camera is alarmingly easy. You can view unsecured cameras with simple clicks.

Luckily, the hacking mostly happens to those unsecured IP cameras with default passwords. Generally, the online site just pings every device on the net and try if one of common default passwords works.

That's the way most websites get the hacked cameras' live. So remember to change the default username and password, and don't use the one that is too simple and easy to crack, like your birthday.

Bonus: Click here to find effective ways to tell whether your IP camera has been hacked. The unsecured IP camera manufacturers have little incentive to spend time and money making their products safer.

Experts, in a CNN news report, "blamed poor practice by low-end manufacturers making devices like internet-accessible baby monitors, cameras and thermostats". But there are also manufacturers, like Reolink , devoted to taking advantages of the cutting-edge technology and strict manufacturing and testing process.

US leads the way, with the most open IP cameras, which are visible to all internet users all over the world. The top 5 countries with the most unsecured cameras are:. The number of unsecured IP cameras varies according to different cities. Taking US as an example, cities with a high population density tend to have more insecure open IP cameras.

While unsecured IP cameras in public places, such as parks, parking lots, restaurants, streets, supermarkets, are not going to really alert you, unsecured security cameras in people's homes let you worry about privacy issues.

According to Insecam, up to One of the largest websites that display home security cameras is insecam. There are more than , thousand cameras listed in it! Most of the time this website finds unsecured cameras online by randomly trying the default username and password; if they get a hit, it goes to their live online list. For example, the screenshot below is taken from the aforementioned website.

As you can see, private people get watched by strangers over the internet via their unsecured security cameras.

This site lets you select what city or country to watch cameras from, offers still images, gifs of the last feed, etc. They even allow you to create an account, leave comments, search the latest or most popular cameras.

The paradise for a pervert stalker. If you want to watch public cameras such as traffic cameras, city live cameras, beach cameras, plazas, intersection, etc. Most of the time, the hackers gain access to security cameras by trying the default login credentials. When you install a camera, you must change the default password.

There are software that randomly scan the internet for security camera links, if they find such cameras then they try default username and passwords depending on the manufacturer. Obviously, they can quickly gain access to the camera if the owner never changed the default password.

Another way that the security cameras get hacked or become unsecured is by using obsolete firmware. Over time, security breaches are discovered on these firmwares and hackers can remotely use these holes to gain access to the system without even knowing the password. Additionally, you have to keep your system updated, check periodically for firmware updates nowadays many devices do auto-update.

Nothing on the internet is one hundred percent sage. If your camera is on the internet, someone may try to hack it. Based just on insecam. Many times they get hacked just by trying the default account.

It has never been easier for hackers. In , the average Australian household reportedly had 17 connected devices. To better understand your vulnerabilities you can try a product like Shodan. This search engine allows you to identify which of your devices can be seen by others through an internet connection. Placing a piece of black tape over a camera is one simple low-tech solution for webcam hacking.

Turning your laptop or desktop computer off when not in use is also a good idea. At work you may have firewalls, antivirus, and intrusion detection systems provided by your company. Such protections are void for most of us when working from home. Also, make sure your antivirus and operating system software is regularly updated.

Read more: 'Zoombombers' want to troll your online meetings. Here's how to stop them. Most of all, use common sense. This is hard to know — but rest assured there are steps you can take to give yourself a better chance. Edition: Available editions Global. Become an author Sign up as a reader Sign in.