How to Help Protect Your Home from Hacked
Security Cameras

You bought a home security camera to expand your home security system, but there’s one concern. In the Digital Age, hacked security cameras are putting your family’s safety at risk. Fortunately, with the right precautions, your home can lessen the likelihood of hacked cameras and leaked data. 

Can home security cameras be hacked?

The unfortunate answer is ‘yes’. Every day, hackers are finding new ways to access video footage, data and personally identifiable information (PII) without you noticing. Generally, cybercriminals get a hold of passwords to your Wi-Fi or hack your router to expose camera footage, PII and other sensitive data. They can also access your cloud storage or camera’s web portal with your password. These are two of the most popular methods, but thieves are always finding new ways. 

4 signs that you may have a hacked camera 

It’s hard to tell if you have a hacked security camera. But, there are a few red flags to watch out for.
 

1. Unusual camera movement or sounds - If your camera is moving freely or if you hear unusual sounds from the camera. 

2. Suspicious LED light - If your hacked camera’s LED light is blinking outside of its normal functionality. 

3. Changed camera settings - Check your security camera regularly to make sure settings are just as you left them. If they’re turning on and off, you may have a hacked camera.

4. More network usage - Monitor your home network’s data usage and any available data usage on your security camera for any suspicious activity. 

If you’ve noticed one or more of these signs keep a closer eye on your cameras and increase your home network security. If you find that you have a hacked camera it’s best to get a new camera, change your home network settings and any passwords immediately. 

5 simple hacking prevention tips 

Fortunately, there are a few preventative measures you can take to help protect your camera data and boost your home security.

1. Ask about encryption. When shopping for your next home security camera, ask about encryption services or features. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your video footage using both hardware and software to help prevent any footage from being viewed by hackers if it falls in the wrong hands.
   
   

2. Protect your passwords. Safety and security start with a strong and secure password. Create one that isn’t related to personal information or is easy to guess. Using a mix of letters, numbers and special characters is a good start. You’ll also want a password for each account to reduce the likelihood of hackers accessing multiple accounts.
   
   

3. Regularly update your camera’s firmware. Don’t wait to install a software update for your smart home devices or home security equipment. Mobile apps and other software updates are often related to data and security improvements.
   
   

4. Buy from trusted sources. Try not to buy used home security cameras or equipment. You never know who may still have access to camera footage. It’s best to buy a new camera and change the manufacturer’s settings immediately. 

    

5. Protect your home Wi-Fi network. There are a few ways to help protect your Wi-Fi network. Change your network name and log-in information. You can also hide your network so it cannot be found among the list of other networks to connect to. It’s also important to increase your Wi-Fi encryption to Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA 2) for the best encryption. Lastly, always keep your router’s firmware updated.