According to the U.S Department of Justice, there are approximately 3.7 million household burglaries every year. Do these homes have any security systems? Many houses do.
But why do they get broken into? The answer may be one no homeowner expects — security system hacks. Wireless home security systems are susceptible to hacks due to the use of cloud and internet solutions.
Why Do Wireless Security Systems Get Hacked?
Most wireless home security systems make use of wireless cameras which transmit video feed over a Wi-Fi connection. You can view a live feed of your home from your smartphone or tablet while away from home. While these systems are effective at deterring burglars, they can be vulnerable to both local and remote hacks.
With wireless security systems being among the best burglar-deterrent solutions in the market, you need them to keep your home safe. But how do you do this without exposing your system to hacks? Here are a few tips to make it happen:
1. Use Strong Passwords
Did you change the default username and password that came with your wireless cameras? If not, it’s time to do so. Failure to set up a strong, unique password can expose you to hacks. Hackers have software solutions that generate passwords and can hack weak ones within minutes.
Reset the password on your camera and other devices that are connected to the wireless security system. A strong and hack-proof password should have the following elements:
- Upper case and lower case letters
- Special characters, like #, @, etc
- Uses numbers
- Is long enough (more than four characters)
Don’t use the same password for your Wi-Fi and social media. If one account gets hacked, the rest can also be easily compromised, and there will be a lot of damage for you to control.
2. Secure Your Wireless Network
Evaluating and understanding wireless home security system options is essential. Unsecured wireless security systems are vulnerable to both local and remote hacks. Secure your network using a strong password if you don’t already have one. Use WPA2 technology to encrypt your network. Most routers come with this encryption program, and all you need to do is set them up.
In addition to securing the entire network, consider securing your cameras as well. This involves assigning them a non-routable internal IP address. Doing this places the cameras in a local network which is difficult to hack.
Note that the private local IP addresses that come with your router are not entirely secure. Since they are a default setting, hackers can quickly figure them out and hack your network. Set up new private IP addresses and add your wireless cameras to them.
3. Upgrade System Firmware
Outdated wireless camera firmware is vulnerable to hacks as there are bugs and other flaws that compromise their performance. Thus, to protect your system from hacks, conduct firmware upgrades. You can check for updates in the “settings” section of the camera’s app. If you can’t find them, contact the manufacturer or check their website for upgrade information.
Protect Your Wireless Home Security System from Hackers Today!
A wireless home security system is your best defense against burglaries. Follow these tips to protect the system from hacks, which can not only compromise your security but also breach your privacy.
However, keeping up with your security system, and vulnerabilities associated with it can be a difficult task. Leave it to the experts! Contact us today for affordable security plans plus professional security monitoring services. Learn why ProTec is Greenville’s best choice for home security systems.