How to Tell If Your Security Camera Has Been Hacked
By: Sumona Chatterjee
Tags: Security Camera, Blackvue, Dashcam, Security, Hacked

Security cameras are meant to keep an eye at home and office in your absence. However, contrarily, imagine someone else is remotely watching your every move and hearing all conversations. Capturing your pictures and recording videos!

Sounds scary?

This can give goosebumps to anyone.

Vulnerable security camera systems have become an easy play for hackers and cybercriminals to spy on you. Hackers take control of your private life and can misuse it to any extent.

The rise in such cases poses a serious risk to the safety of your family and home. Being alert and taking preventive measures is essential to avoid hacking of your security cameras.

So, How can you know if your Security Camera has been Hacked?

This post shares the signs that determine your CCTV or security camera has been hacked. It also provides steps you can take to protect your security cameras against hacking.

Indicators that tell security camera has been hacked

Professional hackers make all efforts to conceal their bid. It becomes extremely difficult for common users to find and trace the malicious act. Hackers usually snoop into IP address and passwords intruding the privacy of people.

However, there are signs that you should never ignore. They indicate CCTV camera system has been hacked.

Five signs that tell your security camera is hacked

1. Unusual noise from the security camera

2. Camera rotates abnormally

3. Blinking camera LED light

4. Altered security settings of the camera

5. Sudden spurt in data usage or network traffic

1. Unusual noise from the security camera

Strange or unusual noise coming from the security camera means it is hacked and someone else is operating the camera. The hacker or cybercriminal is viewing and recording your every move.

2. Camera rotates abnormally

Is your surveillance camera following your movement? Or is it rotating by itself pointing to a different direction? A hacker is probably controlling your security camera.

3. Blinking camera LED light

If you are using webcam security camera, keep a check on it. Whenever you find the webcam LED light blinking, it indicates the hacker is trying to access your day-to-day activities.

Restart your computer, if still the light blinks your camera is certainly hacked.

Besides, when you notice the security camera LED light is on, but you didn’t turn it, this also hints at the camera being hacked.

4. Altered security settings of the camera

Check the security settings of your camera. If you find them changed or the password is set to default, it means someone is fiddling with the security of your house or office.

5. Sudden spurt in data usage or network traffic

Another way to find out if your office or home security system is hacked is to check the data usage by your security camera network. An unusual data flow or the sudden increase in the network traffic signifies the security is compromised.

How to Protect Security Cameras from Hacking

It is important to practice caution than repent later. After all it’s a matter of your and loved ones safety. Follow the below measures to protect security camera system against hackers:

Install security cameras with encryption

Use a strong password for camera and router

Access security camera system on limited devices

Upgrade security camera firmware

Install firewalls and antivirus software

Install Security Cameras with Encryption

Always make an informed decision when buying security cameras for home and office. Go for the most trusted and reliable brands that offer SSL/TLS encryption and WPA2-AES encryption.

Don’t forget to ask your vendor or store, about how the camera is protected against hackers and cybercriminals.

Some questions to ask before buying:

Is the security camera system has multi-level encryption?

What steps the vendor has taken to evade security threats?

Will they put firewall to secure the system?

If the CCTV videos are stored in Cloud, how does it assure privacy?

Use a Strong Password for Camera and Router

Usually, cybercriminals hack camera by sneaking passwords. A powerful password for the Wi-Fi surveillance camera system makes it difficult for them to crack.

Also, secure your router with a strong password.

Never use your birthdays, anniversaries or names etc. Follow the combination of letters, numerals, symbols, and user-sensitive passwords.

Regularly change your passwords.

Use Limited Devices to Access Security Camera

It is advisable to limit the access of your CCTV footages on one or two devices, be it smartphone, laptop or personal desktop. Do not use public computers to view home security system.

Upgrade Security Camera Firmware

Firmware updates of security camera protect your system from bugs and ensure protection against malicious threats.

Install Firewalls and Antivirus Software

Firewalls and antivirus offer strong protection against malware, virus, and hackers.

Wrapping Up

It is a bitter truth hacking security cameras is alarmingly prevalent, especially the wireless ones. However, being cautious and observant always help.

Do not ignore the signs that point towards hacking of your security camera system like unusual noise, abnormal camera movement, blinking webcam lights etc.

Nonetheless, follow the above necessary protection tips such as strong passwords, encrypted camera security system, and firewall, to safeguard your surveillance cameras against hackers.