It sounds like a scene from a horror movie:
In 2020, an 8-year-old girl in Mississippi heard a strange man’s voice coming from her bedroom. He wasn’t in the house. He was in her Ring camera. The hacker taunted her, played music, and left the family terrified until they yanked the device out of the wall.
Ring later confirmed the breach wasn’t magic; it was a reused password from an old account. One bad habit gave a stranger access to their home.
Unfortunately, this isn’t rare. And it doesn’t just happen at home. Smart cameras and IoT devices are everywhere in small businesses, watching the front door, monitoring supply closets, or recording after-hours activity. They bring convenience and peace of mind, but if left unsecured, they can turn into an attacker’s backstage pass to your workplace.
Not All Cameras Are Created Equal
Cheap, no-name models often skip the basics like encryption or regular software updates. Even reputable brands can become a liability if:
- Default usernames and passwords are never changed.
- Firmware goes unpatched for months.
- Cameras are connected to the same WiFi network as business systems.
For attackers, that’s like leaving a door propped open. Once inside, they can peek at footage or worse, pivot deeper into your network.
What to Look for Before You Buy (or Keep)
When evaluating smart cameras:
- Stick to brands that release regular security updates.
- Choose models with two-factor authentication (2FA) for logins.
- Look for encryption of video before it’s sent to the cloud.
- Consider devices with local storage options in addition to cloud backups.
Setup Mistakes That Make Hackers Smile
Buying a secure camera is only half the battle; configuration is where most businesses slip.
- Change default usernames and passwords immediately.
- Enable automatic updates so you’re not chasing patches.
- Segment your network so smart devices aren’t sitting next to sensitive systems.
- Lock down your router with the strongest security settings available.
Think of it like locking both the door and the windows.
It’s Not Just Cameras
Smart doorbells. Thermostats. Even voice assistants. Every IoT device you connect to your WiFi is another potential back door. And for businesses, that could mean more than a hacker watching grainy footage; it could mean exposing client data, financial records, or confidential files.
Smart devices can make your life easier and your workplace safer. But only if they’re secured. Without the right setup, they’re not “smart,” they’re an open invitation.
Ready to make your smart office truly secure? Let ACT review your connected devices before hackers do it for you.
Schedule a free discovery call today!