Home Security Cameras Can Be Hacked, Research Says

A study has found that data generated from home security cameras can actually compromise one’s security. An international team of researchers used data from a security camera manufacturer to find out if anyone can track the cameras’ data without seeing the actual video content. The team evaluated a type of security camera called an Internet Protocol (IP) camera. IP cameras connect to the internet and do not require a computer to upload videos online, so their streams can be monitored remotely on the web or via smartphone apps. Only the owner of a particular IP camera can access its video recordings. By hacking, the researchers found that the data traffic generated by the cameras can expose information about a person's activities. They said that the upload rate of an IP camera increases when it detects someone or something moving, like a person running or walking. According to the team, this could let potential burglars know whether or not a house is empty. To reduce privacy risks, the researchers advised users to place IP cameras near objects in the house that create sounds or movements to make it seem like someone is at home. One way to do this is by placing an analog clock or a metronome in front of an IP camera to pick up noise data.