Numerous home security cameras are susceptible to cyberattacks. Over 40,000 devices have been found to be vulnerable
It's common practice to install surveillance cameras in homes to keep an eye on what's going on outside, but many people are unaware that improperly configured cameras may be subject to online hacking. This implies that anyone, from anywhere in the world, can view what is going on inside their house, place of business, or store without authorization.
This is what cybersecurity company BitSight asserts after finding over 40,000 of these unprotected cameras online. Even more concerning, though, is that you don't have to be an expert in computers to view these pictures; in many situations, just knowing
Getting the camera's address and opening it in a web browser, as if it were another page, is sufficient.
According to the study, these cameras are widespread worldwide: the United States and Japan are the two countries most affected, with approximately 14,000 and 7,000 unprotected cameras, respectively. There are also numerous cases in Austria, the Czech Republic, South Korea, Germany, Italy, and Russia.
In the report, the researchers explained that they not only found home cameras but also some in hospitals, filming patients, posing a serious threat to their privacy. Other cameras focused on ATMs, potentially putting bank customers at risk.
To protect your cameras, experts recommend changing the default password and username first, as they're easy to guess, so it's best to use a secure and unique combination. It's also important to update your device's software with each new release, which helps fix bugs and block potential entry points.
Another important step is to disable remote access if you don't need it. This way, you'll only be able to view camera recordings from within your home network, increasing security. If you need remote access, it's best to use a virtual private network (VPN).