Home security cameras can be hacked, as can any other smart devices throughout your home that use the Internet. Wi-Fi cameras are the most easily hacked, especially those that save to the cloud. Wired cameras are hackable too, but using local storage makes it more difficult to do.
I’m sure you feel that buying a home security camera was one of the best decisions you’ve ever made. You probably feel so much safer, even at night.
Well, maybe you did – until a chilling thought filled your mind…can home security cameras be hacked?
Before you panic, I recommend you keep reading.
In this article, I’ll explain how security cameras are hacked so you can better understand the process. I’ve also got plenty of suggestions on how to prevent security camera hackings.
I even have a few unhackable cameras to share!
How Are Security Cameras Hacked?
When a hacker accesses your security camera, it’s not necessarily the camera itself they breach, but your login information.
With this information, they can then get into your security system account to stop or start recordings, delete footage, give certain people home access, or even disable your security system altogether.
It’s scary stuff, but how is it done?
Well, first criminals have to gain access to your login information.
They may buy random logins and passwords on the black web or extract this information from past hacks. Either way, they have a long list of random usernames and passwords to try.
Then it’s just a matter of going through each one and attempting to log in, which is known as credential stuffing.
If one of the username/password combos is a match, then the criminal is now in your security camera, so to speak.
That may not be all, either. According to a 2018 article from Panda Security, most consumers – 52 percent – reuse the same password across multiple sites.
It’s easy to understand why this is so appealing to the average person.
Rather than try to remember what your unique bank password is, then your unique Amazon password and that unique password for your work computer, reusing a password means everything is the same.
You can conveniently log in to one site and another and another without having to think about it too much.
Unfortunately, so can hackers.
Sure, they may not realize what a goldmine they’ve stumbled upon right away.
If they’re credential stuffing your security camera, though, you can bet that it’s only going to be a matter of time before they try credential stuffing your bank account as well.
How To Tell If Your Security Camera Is Hacked
If a hacker breaks into your security camera, will it happen unbeknownst to you? Not if you know what to look for!
Here are some signs a hacker has gotten into your account.
Go Through Your Login History
Most security systems include a phone app you can download, and that should be the first place you check for evidence of having been hacked.
You’re aware of when you log into the app, at least for the most part. Do you see login dates and times that you know aren’t from you?
If you’re the only one who uses your security system, then this is a clear sign that something is wrong.
Review Your Network Traffic
Your security camera has a data flow log that tracks your usage of its livestream capabilities.
The data flow should be fairly predictable from week to week and month to month, especially if you’ve used your security camera for a while.
Seeing unexplainably high data spikes should definitely raise some red flags! These spikes are a sign you’re not the only one using the security camera.
You Get An Email Telling You That You’ve Reset Your Password
As a security precaution, companies will notify you by email or text alert that your password has been changed, in case it’s not you who did it.
Unless you’ve changed your password in your sleep, then a new password alert is a dead giveaway that you’ve been hacked out of your own security system account.
The Security Camera’s LED Light Is On When It Shouldn’t Be
It’s hard to miss the LED light of your security camera, as it indicates your camera is on and running.
Thus, when the LED light shines and you know for a fact that you didn’t turn your camera on, that indicates someone else did.
The Camera Moves Seemingly On Its Own
A smart hacker isn’t going to start swinging the camera wildly this way and that, as it’s then too obvious they’re hacking you.
Instead, your camera will move in subtle but creepy ways.
For instance, when you’re out on your porch or in the same room with the camera, it seems like it’s trained on you (probably because it is!).
The camera will also subtly tilt and/or pan to access an even greater view into your home.
You Hear The Hacker
The most obvious sign of all is noise from the security camera that can’t be attributed to anything in your home.
Some hackers will even speak to you through your own security system.
If you live with anyone else, ask if they’ve heard any strange voices, as the hacker might try to strike up a conversation with one person but not another.
Oh, and if you have a smart baby monitor, that too can be hacked along with your security system.
How To Protect Security Cameras From Hackers
This information has probably chilled you to the bone. If you’re like me, you never realized the very device that’s supposed to protect you could be a hotbed for hackers!
Knowledge is power, though. Now you can take the following steps to safeguard your security system from nefarious characters.
(1) Create A Password That’s Unique To Your Security Camera
First thing’s first, your current password has got to go.
You must create a completely unique password. That means no parts of your password repeat in this new one.
A strong password includes symbols, numbers, and a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters.
It can be hard to come up with secure passwords off the top of your head. You can always generate a hard-to-guess password using a free website like this one.
You choose how many characters your new password is as well as whether it includes symbols, letters, lowercase characters, uppercase characters, and similar characters (such as zero or O). The resulting password is yours alone.
Since you’ll never be able to memorize such a password, a password manager service like 1Password will keep every password you use secure, including the new one for your camera.
Use Two-Factor Authentication
If your security camera only asks for a username and password when signing up or logging in, then it utilizes one-factor authentication.
The username/password combo is the single factor needed for account access.
Two-factor authentication is better in every way.
By adding a second obstacle to being able to log in, hackers can’t always get through. An example of two-factor authentication is a six-digit code that’s texted to your phone number.
Even if the hacker found out your phone number (and why wouldn’t they if they can hack all other parts of your life?), they don’t physically have your phone.
That means they can’t see the six-digit code and continue with the login.
Is two-factor authentication foolproof? No.
An especially determined hacker could hack into your phone if they really wanted to, but most won’t bother once they’re faced with two-factor authentication.
Update Security Camera Firmware
Updating your tech is always annoying. You know when your phone has an update that you won’t be able to use it for a while, so you put off the update and then put it off again.
It’s the same thing with your computer.
You can’t continue those bad habits when it comes to updating your security system, though.
If the system has a firmware update, you need to download and install the update immediately. Up-to-date firmware has fewer vulnerabilities.
Unhackable Outdoor Security Cameras
Okay, so no security camera is truly unhackable, but some are much more prone to vulnerabilities than others.
Here are two outdoor security cameras that are practically hack-proof.
Arlo Pro4 Spotlight Camera
The Arlo Pro4 has won a lot of acclaim, even topping lists for the most secure outdoor camera of 2021.
This relatively inexpensive security device includes Enhanced Night Vision for seeing people, animals, and objects at night in vivid color.
It’s also weather-resistant so you can hide it somewhere on your property and not have to worry about the rain or snowing ruining it.
Wyze Cam Outdoor
You might also consider the Wyze Cam Outdoor.
The Wyze uses microSD card storage, a form of local storage, which I said in the intro is more secure than storing and saving everything to the cloud.
Some of Wyze’s cameras include asymmetric encryption, so this is a good brand if you care about security!
Conclusion
Although pretty much any security camera can be hacked, that doesn’t mean you have to live in fear of criminals getting into your security system.
Make sure you beef up your password, use two-factor authentication if possible, and upgrade to a security camera that’s harder to hack. Stay safe!
This article does not have affiliate links and is unsponsored. For more details, see my Affiliate Disclaimer.