How to Tell If Your Security Camera Has Been Hacked and Tips to Prevent Hacking

The increasing accessibility, affordability, and ease of installation of home security cameras mean their popularity is rising. However, this type of internet-connected technology isn’t without its risks, and you might wonder: Are Wi-Fi security cameras safe? Thankfully, with speedy action and appropriate safeguards, you can ensure you’re the only one who can peep on potential prowlers or pets.

This guide will help you learn how to tell if your security camera has been hacked and prevent intruders from accessing your details through this virtual backdoor.

Why and How Do Home Security Cameras Get Hacked?

While we might not want to think about it too much, hackers have many motivations to gain access to our home security cameras. Whether they want to intrude on our day-to-day lives, learn our movements for potential break-ins, or access our data for identity theft, it’s important to recognize the risks instead of becoming blasé.

Hackers most commonly gain access to home security cameras by taking advantage of improper password protection, data breaches, or vulnerabilities in outdated camera systems. This means there are some simple signs to identify if the camera has been hacked and steps to take to protect it.

6 Warning Signs Your Security Camera Has Been Hacked

While being proactive with preventative strategies is your best defense, it still pays to be able to tell if your security camera has been hacked. That way, you can take immediate action to minimize any risks. Look out for the following warning signs.

1. Strange Sounds Coming From the Camera

Don't delay taking action if you hear voices, beeping, or other background noises coming from your security camera. The hacker could inadvertently have set up a two-way communication link or, more worryingly, be purposefully using it to connect with your kids.

2. Unprompted Camera Movement

Many types of home security cameras allow you to pan the lens to change the view of your property. A camera moving without you or another family member controlling it is another alarm bell that a hacker has remote control of this smart technology.

3. Flashing LED Lights

Some smart security cameras have an LED light that flashes to indicate the account is connecting with the camera. If this is happening without any action on your side, there could be an unwanted individual watching your at-home activities.

4. Password Problems

We all know how easy it is to forget technology passwords—we have so many to remember these days. However, a big red flag is not being able to access the account for your security system when you use a password you know is correct. Receiving an email notification alerting you to a password change or unusual activity when you aren’t accessing the account is another warning you should take note of.

5. Unusual Data Activity, Settings, or Logins

It’s worth regularly checking your security camera account interface to establish what activity there has been. If you don't upload live stream videos to the cloud storage, seeing a significant upsurge in data transfers or a change of settings to redirect a live stream to a different location would be suspicious. If you spot login activity at a time you know you weren’t using the camera or videos have been uploaded to the account you didn’t take, it could also be a sign of a security breach. 

6. Slow Camera Performance

It’s true that old, faulty, or limited-memory security cameras can start slowing down. A weak Wi-Fi signal can also result in poor performance and connectivity issues. But if your new camera suddenly starts slowing, it’s worth digging to ensure you're not being subject to a cyber attack.

How to Prevent Your Security Camera From Being Hacked

Prevention is better than cure when it comes to home security camera hacking. Use a multi-pronged approach to minimize the chance of hackers being able to commit a crime like identity theft, blackmail, or malicious content production. Consider the following:

• Always reset the default password to something unique and strong with a selection of lower and uppercase letters, numbers, and special characters.

• Select a camera with advanced, end-to-end encryption, such as WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2).

• Whenever the camera company releases a firmware update, apply this to your system to maximize protection and minimize bugs and glitches.

• If your camera software allows for two-factor authentication, use this as an additional layer of security.

• Only allow particular devices to access the camera software, for example, via your phone app and a family laptop.

• Use a VPN (virtual private network) to minimize the chance an unrestricted device can access the network your security camera connects to.

• Select a home security camera from a reputable company with up-to-date software and firmware.

• The best spot to place your security cameras is towards household entrances rather than within private rooms. That way, if a hack occurs, the culprits are less likely to see personal details.

• If you can’t install security cameras yourself, use a reputable security camera installer near you to minimize the chance of a scam. The cost to install security cameras professionally ranges from $600 to $2,000.