A recent article claims criminals can hack baby monitors.

So what, right? Who would be interested in hacking into video monitors? Any parent should putthe welfare of their child at the top of their priority list. Keeping anyone from viewing images of your child should be enough of an incentive. 

Let’s assume that it’s not a priority to keep your child’s images safe. What else could hackers be doing? Let’s think about your routines. Most children are put to bed after 6pm, whatever the time you choose this is a routine most parents follow religiously.

If you are spying on a camera and that routine stops, well then, the parents are probably not at home. If the parents are not home, then that makes the property ideal for being broken in to.

Or maybe, the main aim is to establish a routine of the parents. Why would anyone want to do that? So that an attacker or assailant knows the best time to enter the property when you are most vulnerable, we will leave the rest to your imagination.

Surely all devices are secure?

Well it depends upon your definition of secure. All new devices have a username and password assigned to them. These devices are then connected to your home network which also has a username and password. So, in a way, yes there are certain levels of security in place.

It is important to be aware that these security settings are not fool proof and can be accessed relatively easily if you know what you are doing. 

Some other considerations in respect to home hub and device security.

  • There is no law to enforce that all consumer internet-connected device passwords must be unique and not resettable to any universal factory setting
  • If there is a vulnerability it is not yet law to have a vulnerability disclosure policy, so anyone can report a vulnerability
  • There is no consistent rule about when and how devices receive security updates at the point of sale meaning a device could become more vulnerable over time.

What to do about it?

  1. Set secure passwords! If you as hopeless as most of us at remembering passwords, then set a passphrase.
  2. Set new passwords! This is a basic premise for all new devices and existing devices. If you have them, if you get them, spend some time this evening and change the passwords. If you don’t know how to then click here.
  3. Set up a Virtual Private Network! Using a VPN is often thought of as a way to stream movies illegally. Not always. VPN’s are the best way to prevent anyone accessing your home network so if you can’t do steps 1 or 2 then get a VPN. A good VPN can be as cheap at £10 / month.
  4. Get an alarm! What does this have to do with being hacked? Absolutely nothing. But if all of the above fail then at least be secure in knowing that should someone wish to gain access to your property. Your home is alarmed.

If you would like to know more about your home security options then please contact us today.

Learn more about the top 10 steps to Cyber Security here.