How to Protect Your Surveillance Cameras from Hackers

With the rise of smart homes and businesses, internet-connected security cameras are now a must-have for safeguarding property. But there are serious security risks associated with remote access, despite its convenience. 

By taking advantage of security holes, hackers can gain unauthorized access. This could put your personal information up for grabs, which is why it’s so important to protect your cameras. Now is the time to get to know your security system and make sure it will protect your information and your business. 

Here are a few tips that you can easily enact to better safeguard your surveillance cameras from cybercriminals.

Restrict access to the right users.

Admin access is the highest level of access on any device, including security cameras. Because it lets you customize everything, it’s easy to see why malicious actors target it. Only fully authorized personnel should have this level of access. To protect admin access, use strong, unique passwords. Stay away from those that are simple or easily guessed.

You’ll also want to enable multifactor authentication (MFA). By incorporating additional verification methods, like a code sent to your phone, you get an additional layer of protection. Also consider setting a limit for login attempts and remember to review your access logs regularly.

Change the default login info.

If you can log into your camera using “admin” as the user and “0000” as the password because that’s how it came out of the box, then it’s time to change it. Many security cameras come with default usernames and passwords that are widely known and easily searchable online. 

Immediately change any default credentials to something unique and secure. If multiple people need access to the camera, create separate accounts for each user so you can track individual activity and revoke access if necessary.

Keep the firmware up to date.

Manufacturers often release firmware updates to patch security vulnerabilities and improve functionality. Make it a habit to check for firmware updates periodically or enable automatic updates if available. 

Always download firmware updates directly from the manufacturer’s official website to avoid installing malicious software. But remember: BEFORE starting an update, back up your camera settings in case the update process resets the device to default settings. 

Lastly, verify that the manufacturer has a secure update process, as other companies have been compromised for having lax security controls. Breaches like this are serious, and can cause organizations a lot of money to fix.

Create a moat.

Isolating your security cameras from your main network can prevent attackers from accessing other devices if a camera is compromised. We suggest that you create a separate Wi-Fi network exclusively for your security cameras. 

Also, stop unauthorized users from accessing your camera network. Be sure to disable router features that enable remote management from the internet. Consider putting your cameras behind a firewall so only necessary traffic can enter and leave.

Consider these other safeguards.

Here are a few additional safeguards to take your protection to the next level. Make sure your cameras are in a safe place where they can’t be tampered with. We also suggest you use cameras that can encrypt data while it is in motion (using SSL/TLS) and while it’s stored (on a microSD card or network video recorder). Last but not least, conduct regular checks of your camera and network to make sure everything’s working correctly.

Your surroundings will be much safer if you implement the suggestions described above. Keep in mind that your cameras’ system security is only as good as its weakest link.

Eagle Eye Networks can help.

Eagle Eye Networks is about more than just video and cameras. We take security seriously, offering MFA and continuous real-time patches to platform security for your surveillance system. Speak to an expert to learn more about how we can help keep your business safe.