Protecting Your Cameras From Hacking With Passwords and Updates

A camera is a computer on your network

A modern home camera connects to the internet, runs software and stores an account with your email and a login. That makes it convenient, and it also means it can be misused if the account or the device is poorly protected. Most real-world problems with home cameras trace back to simple things: reused passwords, default settings and software that never gets updated. The good news is that a handful of habits cover most of the risk. No setup is perfectly safe, but these steps make you a much harder target than average.

Use a unique password for each camera account

If you use the same password for your camera app as for other websites, a leak from one of those other sites can expose your camera. Attackers often try lists of leaked passwords against many services, which is sometimes called credential stuffing.

• Choose a long, unique password for each camera account. Length matters more than clever symbols.
• Use a password manager so you do not have to remember them.
• Change any default or factory password right away, particularly on cameras that have their own local login.
• Avoid sharing one login among family members. Most systems let you invite people to the same home with their own accounts.

Turn on two-step sign-in

Two-step sign-in (also called two-factor or multi-factor authentication) asks for a second proof beyond your password, such as a code from an authenticator app or a prompt on your phone. Even if someone learns your password, they often cannot get in without the second step. If the choice is offered, an authenticator app or a security key is generally stronger than codes sent by text message, though text codes are still better than nothing.

Also secure the email account connected to the camera. If someone can reset your email password, they may be able to reset everything else.

Keep firmware and apps updated

Firmware is the software running on the camera itself. Manufacturers release updates to fix security flaws, and an old camera that never updates may keep known weaknesses.

• Turn on automatic updates when the option exists.
• If updates are manual, check the app periodically and after major news about a device.
• Update the phone app too.
• When buying, check that the manufacturer has a track record of providing updates, and be wary of cameras from sellers that offer no updates or support. When a model reaches the end of support, consider replacing it, especially if it is a camera inside your home.

Review who has access

Open the app’s sharing or members list from time to time. Remove former roommates, old guests, contractors and anyone who no longer needs a view. Look for any session or device list and sign out of devices you do not recognize. Where there is a login history, scan it for unfamiliar places or times.

Tidy up the home network

• Secure the router. Replace the default router password and use modern Wi-Fi encryption (WPA2 or WPA3 where available). Update the router firmware, too.
• Use a guest or separate network for cameras and other smart devices if your router supports it. This keeps them apart from your computers.
• Avoid exposing cameras directly to the internet. Features like port forwarding, which opens a hole in the router for remote viewing, can invite trouble. Prefer the manufacturer’s secure cloud connection or a properly set up private connection.
• Turn off features you do not use, such as remote access methods, guest sharing links or old protocols, if the camera offers those settings.

For wired recorder systems, the same logic applies to the recorder’s login and the network it sits on. PoE cameras and recorders are common in such setups.

Watch out for phishing

Fake emails or texts claiming your camera account is locked, or asking you to “verify” your login, are common. Open the official app or type the website address yourself rather than clicking a link in a message. Likewise, be cautious about unknown apps that claim to work with your camera.

Buy and place sensibly

Cameras from unknown brands with no clear support or privacy information deserve extra skepticism. For indoor cameras, consider a physical shutter or privacy mode, and think about whether you need a camera in a private room at all. Camera privacy decisions like these are worth making before installation.

If you suspect a problem

Signs can include unexpected setting changes, unfamiliar logins, the camera moving on its own or strange sounds. If you see any of them:

1. Change the account password, using a unique one.
2. Turn on two-step sign-in if it was not already on.
3. Sign out of all devices and remove unknown members.
4. Update the camera firmware and restart it. If the problem persists, a factory reset followed by a fresh, secure setup may be needed.
5. Change the router and Wi-Fi passwords.
6. Contact the manufacturer’s support.

These habits do not take long, and they protect both your family and anyone else your cameras can see. They also fit with wider smart home security habits, since a connected home is only as safe as its weakest account.