Are people watching your security footage online?

You might find it disturbing to think that complete strangers are watching footage caught by security cameras. The devices that are there to protect your home or business. But it’s true.

With advances in technology, it’s now possible to run a comprehensive surveillance system at home for less. But if the system is internet-enabled, the footage may be streamed on certain websites without your knowledge. So, what can you do?

How does this happen?

Sites that stream security footage are only able to do so if security measures are not put in place. Quite ironic, isn't it?

“Hackers have nothing to do with this threat,” says NordVPN cybersecurity expert Daniel Markuson. “The website streams cameras that are not protected by passwords or still have the default passwords. By doing this, they claim to highlight a serious security issue that hackers can also exploit. One way or another, this is a serious breach of privacy.”

“Googling cameras that are not password-secured is not illegal, and that is why [the website] is still being updated daily.”

How can I stop my footage from being streamed?

It’s perfectly understandable if you do not want to have your security footage broadcast for anyone on the internet to see. In fact, we would argue that this goes for pretty much everyone. Fortunately, there are many methods you can use to prevent any invasion of privacy. Most of them can be in place in mere minutes and without the need for extended technical knowledge. And we strongly recommend that you check yours once your read is over.

Set a strong password

Quite simply, if your camera is password-protected, these streaming sites cannot access them. They only draw from unsecured footage to stay in the legal realm, as bypassing something password secured is a breach of law. Be sure to change the password from its factory default. Make it a memorable word or phrase. But avoid one with a link to your personal information, such as birthdays or addresses. Use a combination of upper-case and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. Most programs will have their own ruleset of combinations. But if it doesn't, make sure to give it enough variety.

Download software updates

It can be easy to ignore and put off software updates. But using old systems opens you up to security risks as people start to find ways around the protection. Almost every patch comes with new and strengthened security measures. And you don't want to miss out on them. Usually, as long as you connect them to your Wi-Fi, they will update automatically. But make sure to give it a check!

Utilise security features

Some cameras that operate on networks include benefits such as scrambling signals. This means other people cannot access them. Whether you’re considering buying a new surveillance system or you’ve not yet checked your existing features, this can help massively.

Use a VPN

A virtual private network (VPN) offers a layer of protection by masking your online activities from outsiders. If you want to get a feel for how it all works, there are free VPNs available to download.

If you notice that your cameras are being used by a site like this, all is not lost.

“If you find your camera being streamed on a website like Insecam, you can request the website owners to remove the streaming link,” suggested Markuson. “They promise to remove the link and the feed if the camera’s owners contact them.”

What are your thoughts on sites such as these? Let us know in the comments!