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With two-thirds of American households owning pets, it’s no surprise that new gadgets are being created to help pet owners keep an eye on their furry friends. One of the most popular devices in this area is the pet camera.
The U.S. market alone is all-in on pet cameras, with their sales projected to increase by $525.8 million by 2028. And there’s plenty of reason to love them: you can check on your pet from anywhere, anytime, offering great convenience to those who can’t always be with their pets. However, like most things in life, these cameras have their own downsides, and these downsides primarily concern cybersecurity.
This article examines how pet cameras can pose serious cybersecurity threats to pet owners if left unsecured. Read on to learn how hackers can repurpose them for their malicious attacks and what you can do to prevent that.
Can Your Pet Camera Really Be Hacked?
Unfortunately, yes. The functionality of pet cameras largely depends on an internet connection, which hackers can exploit.
Cracking weak passwords is one of the easiest ways to hack a camera or any other password-protected device. Far too many people never bother changing the default password, which hackers can easily access by reading camera-specific manuals or through the dark web.
Some manufacturers may release their cameras and go out of business or stop supporting them with firmware updates. The longer this goes on, the higher the chance of hackers finding an unpatched weak point and taking over the camera. Another way to hack into a camera’s feed is to exploit weaknesses in its app.
Worst of all is that, in some cases, the camera may not be at fault if the Wi-Fi network it’s connected to isn’t secure. At least this was Furbo’s claim when one of their cameras was compromised. While it’s unclear who was at fault in this particular case, weak Wi-Fi security measures can make your network vulnerable to outside access too.
What Are the Consequences?
Pet cameras might not give hackers a complete view of your home like standard security cameras, but a hacked pet camera can still compromise your privacy, identity, and finances.
Often, pet cameras have built-in speakers and microphones so owners can calm or discipline their pets remotely. However, it’s not just pets that might be listening… or watching.
When hackers tap into these devices, they can spy on your conversations and gather sensitive or even compromising information. Even a video-only feed can reveal your work hours and daily routines—valuable insights for potential burglars.
Accessing the app to control the camera can create even more risks to your security. Hackers can view and steal your account details, including names, home and email addresses, and payment methods. This also puts unrelated accounts at risk if you reuse passwords.
How to Hackproof Your Pet Camera
Luckily, keeping your private data safe from prying eyes is simple and effective if you follow a few basic cybersecurity steps when setting up your pet camera.
Do a thorough research
If you’re still deciding which pet camera to buy, start by researching. Check that the company has a clean cybersecurity record and read reviews from real users about the camera’s reliability and frequency of firmware updates.
Use strong passwords
If you already have a pet camera, begin by changing the default password for both the camera and its app. Avoid any passwords that are easy to guess or that you’ve used elsewhere. Ideally, this applies to all your accounts. To make managing all these unique passwords easier, consider using a password manager.
Password managers generate and store unique, complex passwords for all your accounts, minimizing the effects of data breaches and preventing theft. Some password managers also support two-factor authentication, which, when enabled, ensures no one can access your pet camera account even if it suffers a breach, as they’d need to provide a second code you’ll receive on your phone.
If you’re considering one, make sure to read reviews on the best password managers out there to truly take advantage of such a tool.
Update the camera’s firmware and app
Next, check that the camera’s firmware and app are running on the latest versions. These may unlock new features while addressing known security vulnerabilities. Double-check that automatic updates are turned on and check on them occasionally.
Secure your network
Protecting your home network is also important. Change the router’s default login credentials and make sure safety measures like WPA3 are on. It’s also a good idea to segment your network so that pet cameras and similar devices can’t affect your computers, smartphones, etc. if they get infected with things like malware.
These defenses should be enough to stop most hackers from misusing your pet camera, but a little extra caution never hurts. Keep an eye on your network for any suspicious activity, check if there have been any login attempts on your camera, and make sure none of the settings have been changed unexpectedly.
Conclusion
Pet cameras can be incredibly helpful for pet owners who experience anxiety or need a bit of discipline. They also bring owners peace of mind, knowing their pets are safe and sound. But overlooking camera security can lead to some serious trouble.
With the risks now clear and solutions up your sleeve, you can keep an eye on your pets while staying protected from digital mischief.
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