Smart security cameras offer an easy, accessible way to keep your home and everything in it safe. However, the connectivity that makes them so convenient may also introduce significant vulnerabilities.
There have been multiple accounts of cybercriminals hacking into smart doorbells and similar smart home devices. From there, attackers could spy on people in your home, steal sensitive data or even disable your security system. In light of these risks, here are some steps to hack-proof your smart cameras.
Choose a Reliable Camera
The first step in making cameras more secure is reviewing the manufacturers that make them. As a general category, Internet of Things (IoT) devices often have minimal built-in protections, but some are more secure than others. Look for models that offer features like multi-factor authentication (MFA), cryptography, high encryption standards and automatic deletion of old files.
You may have to sacrifice some convenience for security, but you can often compensate for this in other ways. Adding motion detectors for outdoor lights, for example, saves energy while improving safety by making it easier for the camera to see when an intruder may be present. Forgoing a camera with a built-in light to use a more secure one and one of these lights may be the best option.
Change the Default Settings
Even if a smart camera has extensive built-in security measures, you will likely have to adjust them. Most importantly, change the default password and the device’s name if possible. If cybercriminals know the make and model, they will have an easier time finding and exploiting vulnerabilities.
Many cameras do not have MFA enabled by default, so you may have to change that, too. You should also enable encryption and disable auto-connect features, as that might introduce unnecessary lateral movement risks.
Hide the Cameras
Digital security measures are important, but you should be careful not to overlook physical safety. Burglary costs the U.S. $3 billion in property losses annually and if cybercriminals can physically access a camera, they could tamper with its settings, enabling future crime. In both cases, hiding your cameras will help prevent damage.
Obscure your cameras with shelves, household objects, trees or birdhouses, but ensure they still have a clear field of view. Buying a smaller, more discreet camera will also make it easier to hide. Placing cameras around eight or nine feet above ground will also help keep them out of sight and attackers cannot hack into what they do not know is there.
Run Cameras on a Separate Network
As with any IoT device, you can reduce smart camera-related risks through network segmentation. Your camera may not have much sensitive data, but it could become an access point to other devices that do if they are on the same network.
Many Wi-Fi routers today let you set up a guest network, which offers an easy way to keep cameras separate from more sensitive devices. If your router does not or the guest network feature does not support encryption, you may want to buy an additional router to set up a dedicated network.
Update Regularly
Finally, keep all your security cameras’ firmware up-to-date. Firmware attacks have affected 80% of surveyed organizations over the past two years, but regular updates can minimize these vulnerabilities.
A security camera may be vulnerable to known attack vectors if it does not have the latest updates installed. By contrast, keeping it updated at all times ensures you have all the patches for vulnerabilities developers know about. Enabling automatic updates if possible is the best way to approach this issue.
Smart Cameras Can Be Secure With the Right Steps
Any IoT device can – even one designed to keep you safe – can become a security threat without a proper stance. However, if you follow these steps, you can ensure your camera minimizes and mitigates these risks. You can then truly enjoy the safety they promise.
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