Tips for safer home security setups

The global home security market has been growing at a rapid pace. By 2026, experts expect the market to grow at a rate of 20.1% .

From Ring doorbell cameras to complete home systems, consumers want solutions. Monitoring your front door from afar has never been easier. With cloud-based video streaming, homeowners can see any part of their home.

Sharing doorbell camera videos with neighbors via social media is now commonplace. These home security systems also offer peace of mind at an affordable cost.

Don't let the ease of installation fool you. Home security cameras can put your family at risk if you don't take precautions. Often, people are so eager to see what they can do that they don't stop to think about the security of the devices.

There are a number of horror stories online about hacked video cameras, including strangers making disturbing remarks to children through these cameras.

Additionally, in 2019, Ring suffered a data breach . This breach exposed the personal data of over 3,000 Ring users. This included usernames and passwords.

This incident is enough to make you reconsider adding an extra layer of security. Don't let these incidents scare you away. You can properly secure a home video camera system to ensure it won't be hacked.

Here are some tips you should apply for a secure home security setup.

Make sure your router is secure

You access a security camera's IP address over the internet. All commands sent to the system or images received from it pass through your router, so you need to ensure your router is properly secured.

Hackers hack into routers to gain access to devices connected to the network. Make sure your router's security protocol is no lower than WPA2. The next generation, WPA3, is even better. These protocols govern the protection of data transmitted over the wireless network.

Give your router a strong password of at least 12 characters. Software can crack an 8-character password instantly. However, a 12-character password with at least one capital letter, one number, and one symbol takes 34,000 years to crack.

Change the default username and password

You need a strong password for your security system's administrator account. You should also change the default device name and password. Hackers have lists of all these default devices and use them to break into these systems.

Changing your device's default username and password should be one of the first things you do. Otherwise, it could only take a few minutes after you connect to the internet for it to be hacked.

Make sure the system uses SSL/TLS or other encryption

You certainly don't want your camera recordings being shared with anyone for them to use and view. Make sure the security system you choose is rated SSL/TLS or another standard type of encryption.

This ensures that data cannot be intercepted or accessed. SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, and TLS stands for Transport Layer Security. Without some form of encryption, a hacker can easily steal data from your device.

Keep the software up to date

If your security system has an automatic update feature, enable it. Unfortunately, many users don't think about updating their device's software. This makes it more vulnerable to hacking.

Updates often include important security fixes for discovered vulnerabilities. You want to ensure updates are installed as quickly as possible, which is why automation is preferable.

Consider access levels for multiple users

Do you have multiple family members accessing your cloud-based security system? If so, set up access levels. Not everyone needs administrator access.

Hackers love it when they can steal an administrator user's login credentials. This gives them more privileges, such as changing settings. Granting lower-level privileges, such as "view only," to most family members is much more secure.

Enable camera security features

Your system will have several security features available. Manufacturers often do not enable all security settings by default. The user must enable some or all of them.

If you're unsure which settings should be enabled or disabled, we're happy to help. Some home security systems offer generous sharing options. This can be an attractive invitation for hackers. You want to restrict these options as much as possible.

Make sure your mobile device is secure

Most people access their security cameras from their smartphones. Make sure you secure yours and keep it updated with the latest operating system. Hackers can access a security system through a device with little or no protection.

Add elements such as:

• Antivirus for mobile devices
• DNS Filtering
• Screen lock
• Automated update

Looking for help protecting your cloud security system?

Contact us and schedule an appointment. We'll be happy to help ensure your security system is set up to the highest standards.

About Nexxo

Nexxo Computer Solutions specializes in providing IT and technology services to Quebec businesses. Its mission is to offer Quebec companies IT services tailored to their needs. Acting as an external IT department, it handles all of a company's IT tasks, allowing it to focus on its business activities. It achieves this by collaborating closely with its clients and putting their interests at the center of its concerns.