Ways to know if Your Security Cameras have been Hacked

With the current tech landscape, we’re more connected than ever.  Social Media keeps us in touch with friends and family. Smart devices allow us to control our home thermostat from work. We can ask a small device on our desk to play smooth jazz.  But with all of these platforms and devices comes risk.

One particularly terrifying risk is when a hacker gains access to your security cameras. Stories of threat actors spying on civilians or businesses through their security cameras can leave you feeling paranoid and scared. The connectivity features of these security cameras allow users the ability to have remote access to your video feed or to store your feed to the cloud. These are great features, but they can also put your privacy at risk. Your data can be vulnerable and criminals can gain access to your video feeds.

Although security cameras are supposed to ease your mind, ironically they can sometimes leave you thinking in the back of your mind – “Am I being watched?” There are ways to help put your mind at ease, by being aware of the signs that your cameras may be compromised.  Here are signs you should pay attention to while tracking whether or not your cameras may have been compromised.

You Hear Strange Sounds or Voices

It sounds incredibly creepy, but there are cases where hackers want to make sure you know you’re being watched.  A lot of cameras offer two-way communication - a feature that allows you to speak with whoever is at your home or business.  However when you start to hear things you normally wouldn’t, or if someone you don’t recognize is trying to stir up a conversation, you may have a problem.  Even if it’s just a small noise or beep, it’s worth looking into.

You Notice the LED Light On

One of the most obvious indicators that your camera is being accessed is by noticing that the LED light is on.  Indoor cameras typically have an LED light that turns on when someone is remotely accessing the camera.  If it’s not you or someone else you know that has access to the camera, it’s highly likely that your camera has been accessed by a hacker.

You See the Camera Panning or Tilting

Many indoor cameras are static. However, for indoor or outdoor cameras that do offer a range of motion, if you see unplanned motion of these cameras it should raise a red flag. Be aware of the sound the camera makes while panning and tilting too.  Both of these can alert you to a possible security breach.

Your Account Password Unexpectedly Changes

In the process to set up your camera(s), you’re likely going to be asked to set up an account. If the day comes where you notice you are unable to log in to your account and your password isn’t allowing you to log in – take this is a warning and look into it.

You Notice an Increase in Data Traffic

To access a stream of a camera’s feed, a lot of data is required. This is another way you can tell if you’re camera is being accessed. To find this information, you can access your routers tracking functions that monitors data traffic. If you notice a significant increase is data transfer that you did not expect, it may be a sign that you’ve been hacked.

You See Suspicious Activity in the Login History

Some apps for security cameras track the login history of your account. If you noticed logins that aren’t yours, this is another dead giveaway that you’ve been hacked.

If you make the decision to implement security cameras in your home or business, be aware of the security risks that come with it and be vigilant in taking proper security measures to ensure you’re safe from hackers.

Story via Digital Trends