How to Protect Your IP Cameras from Hacking
In recent years, the IP surveillance camera industry has grown significantly. Setting up video surveillance using IP cameras is becoming easier, and more people are choosing to do it themselves. However, with this convenience comes the risk of hacking. Here are some essential tips to help you secure your IP cameras.
Update Your Camera’s Firmware
Most modern IP cameras come with upgradable firmware. If a security vulnerability is discovered, the camera manufacturer usually releases a firmware update on their website to fix it. Typically, you can update your camera’s firmware through the admin panel using a web browser.
Check for Camera Vulnerabilities
You should regularly check the official website of your camera’s manufacturer for new firmware updates. However, even this doesn’t guarantee your camera is fully protected, as some manufacturers neglect to release updates or security patches. That’s why it’s important to search for vulnerabilities yourself.
To find vulnerabilities, use search engines by entering your camera model along with the word “vulnerability” or “vuln.” You can also use specialized services like cvedetails.com to look up known issues.
Keep Your Cameras on a Local Network
If security is your top priority, keep your surveillance cameras on a local network and assign them non-routable internal IP addresses (such as 192.168.0.5 or similar). However, even with non-routable IP addresses, your cameras can still be exposed if the camera software sets up port forwarding or uses UPNP to make them accessible from the internet.
Visit your camera manufacturer’s official website to learn how to configure your cameras so they are not accessible from the internet.
Password Protect Your IP Cameras
Many IP cameras do not have password protection enabled by default. Most surveillance cameras offer basic authentication, which isn’t ideal but is better than nothing. Always protect your cameras with a username and a strong password, and change it periodically.
Change Default Login and Password
The default login and password set by the manufacturer are widely available online. If you don’t change the administrator username and password, even a child could hack your IP cameras using the default credentials, let alone a professional hacker.
For more information, check out articles on default router passwords to understand how easy it is to find factory credentials.
Enable WPA2 Encryption
If you connect to your camera via a wireless network, always use WPA2 encryption. This will improve your camera’s security and help prevent unauthorized access.
Camera Placement Matters
Even if you’ve taken all the security measures described above, remember there’s always a chance your IP camera could be hacked. To protect your privacy, avoid installing security cameras in sensitive areas like bathrooms or bedrooms.
That’s it! We hope this article helps you secure your surveillance cameras. Remember: protecting your IP camera isn’t just a choice—it’s your responsibility!