In this modern digital age, security cameras are an essential part of the security solution for homes and businesses. Surveillance systems from leading manufacturers like Axis or Hikvision come with fully integrated remote monitoring, motion-detection, and cloud storage. All such advancements make cameras more intelligent and at the same time more susceptible to cyber threat attacks. Hackers can penetrate the system through these weak points and gain access to sensitive footage before compromising safety for the user. Thus, the blog will focus on key points regarding securing security cameras to protect their system from hacker instances.
How Security Cameras Become Victims of Hacking
Now let’s get to protecting your system before we discuss why hackers target these systems: because most security cameras are connected to the internet, rendering them easily vulnerable to online attacks. Hackers can break through these systems using weak passwords, outdated firmware, or unsecured networks. They can be able to remotely access all stored footage-delete material or use your cameras to watch you or your business. In this sense, this will protect your security camera system from breaches, protecting your privacy and safety too.
Alter the Default Passwords and Use Strong Authentication
Most hackers into security cameras use default passwords that come with weak passwords. A good example of camera manufacturers that do that is Axis and Hikvision– they have set default login credentials for each of their devices. If you don’t change any of these passwords immediately after setting up the device, hackers can find the password online or crack it with automated tools. Change the Default Passwords and Authorize with Stronger Authentication
Most hackers into security cameras do so by default passwords that come with weak passwords. A good example of camera manufacturers that do that is Axis and Hikvision – they have set default login credentials for each of their devices. If you don’t change any of these passwords immediately after setting up the device, hackers can find the password online or crack it with automated tools.
Integrates Your Camera Firmware And Software Regularly
Axis and Hikvision are addressing firmware updates to fix security loopholes in addition to improving device performance. If these updates are not applied, they will expose your system to known threats.
Action Step: Enable automatic updates if your camera system supports it. If not, check for firmware updates periodically and apply them as soon as they are available. Keeping your security cameras updated ensures you’re protected against the latest threats and ensures your system runs smoothly.
Keep your network secure
Secure the network to make your security camera system like a silver fortress, lest a hacker capture or sneak a view of it using Wi-Fi or Ethernet. With a vulnerable network, hackers could obtain access to your whole surveillance system, including the cameras.
Just create a distinct, secure Wi-Fi network for your security cameras. Avoid public Wi-Fi networks when you want to access them remotely. Use WPA3 encryption for your wireless networks and ensure that the router firmware is always updated. Finally, if your cameras are hardwired and not wireless, make sure that your router has a very strong password, and consider using a VPN for remote access as well.
Action Step: Establishing a distinct, protected Wi-Fi network for security cameras should be avoided via access to public networks. WPA3 encryption will be used for such Wi-Fi networks, and the router firmware should always be updated. Also, if there are hardwired security cameras, routers should necessitate a strong password and possibly even a VPN for remote access.
Un-Enable Unneeded Features and Ports
Almost all contemporary security cameras (be it Axis or Hikvision) possess built-in capabilities such as remote viewing, cloud storage, and even mobile app connections. While such features can be convenient, they also open up potential security holes which have the chance of being exploited. For instance, open ports for remote access can enable hackers to take over your system
Action Step: Disable any features or ports you don’t require. For example, if you do not use remote viewing or cloud storage, switch those options off. Also, you might want to consider implementation of a firewall to filter the unnecessary traffic from the outside and into. Always check for open ports in your house network and close those that are unused so that you can do with the minimal attack surfaces
To especially monitor suspicious activity with your camera systems
Proactive camera monitoring has been a very preventive step from an unwanted imminent threat. Axis and hikvision provide the ability to review login attempts, viewing device access logs along with track data access for some systems.
Action Step: Keep checking your access logs regularly to see if anyone is using your camera without permission. Create an alert that can inform you of any strange access pattern such as logins from unknown IP addresses. If anything looks suspicious, change your password and check your answers immediately.
Secure the Physical Access of Your Cameras
Online threats may not be all you need to be worried about so much. Physical security is equally as important. When someone breaks physical access into a security camera, it could mean altering the system, in actual fact disable the cameras or steal them.
Action step: Position the cameras in secure, hard-to-reach locations. Apply tamper-proof screws and locks to suppress unauthorized accesses. Consider setting alerts to notify the owners whenever a camera has been dislocated or tampered with. Protecting the physical integrity of your cameras is just as important as securing your online network.
Final thought
Securing your CCTV equipment protects your privacy and the integrity of your surveillance system. Hackers are getting ever-more clever, so using strong passwords, two-factor authentication, firmware updates, encryption, and the options of segmentation and access logging can help safeguard the systems. With preventive measures in place, you’ll prevent unauthorized access and ensure the successful execution of your surveillance equipment’s main task: the protection of your assets.
