The use of IP cameras has risen to the extent that they are becoming essential parts of buildings, homes, or streets to provide surveillance and monitoring in specific locations. However, these technological advancements paved the way for burglars and hackers to upgrade their movements through hacking your IP camera before entering your home. That’s why it is important to know how to secure your IP camera to have safety at home.
Securing your IP camera is beneficial to avoid malicious or accidental misconfigurations. There are so many ways you can do as an owner to add a layer of protection to ensure that no one can access something that they shouldn’t. Lucky for you, there are certain tips and guidelines on how to secure your IP camera in this article.
What Is an IP camera?
An IP camera is a video camera used to survey or monitor specific areas over a Fast Ethernet network connection. The IP camera sends signals through the main server or host screen through an Internet connection or a network link. As their name suggests, IP cameras are primarily used for IP surveillance, CCTV, and digital videography. Over the years, the use of IP cameras has plummeted the popularity of analog cameras due to their ease of use and remote surveillance options.
Slowly, IP cameras replace the use of traditional CCTV cameras because IP cameras can be wireless or wired, lessening the impact of your pockets. A great advantage when taking into account the maintenance and cost required when having traditional CCTV cameras.
Also, IP cameras have greater video quality than the traditional CCTVS as they provide better image resolution, especially for moving targets due to the adjustable framerates depending on the bandwidth. IP cameras also support two-way communication and send signals when they suspect malicious/suspicious activities or other occurrences.
Benefits of an IP Camera
Before you start learning on the main subject, which is how to secure your IP camera, it is important to know first what is IP camera and how it works. There are many advantages of IP cameras compared to the traditional CCTV cameras. These include:
- It can be remotely administrated from any location.
- Digital zoom is great, especially for moving targets.
- IP cameras can send any information as long as it is connected through a linked network or internet.
- Advanced scanning, which offers better image quality compared to CCTV cameras. Great for moving targets to have a better, accurate image.
- Configurable frame rates and resolution to adhere to specific needs.
- Two-way communication/signaling.
- The ability to transmit alerts when suspicious or malicious activities are taking place.
- Lesser cable requirements.
How to Secure Your IP Camera
Below, we’ve listed some guidelines and tips on how to secure your IP camera. Keep in mind that it does not need professional expertise when trying to configure these.
Stay Updated
Owners need to secure their IP cameras by updating the firmware of their IP cameras. Usually, manufacturers send updates when they detect certain security vulnerability issues with their IP cameras. Firmware updates will secure your IP cameras when they are always updated. Usually, they are updated through the administrator console through a web browser.
It is important for owners always to check the manufacturer’s website to update what firmware is already out. It is to make sure that the updated version doesn’t contain any unpatched vulnerability that the hackers might exploit and other online voyeurs,
Local Connection
If you don’t want your entire IP cameras information linked around the web, you must connect them locally. This is great, especially if you prioritize privacy and must assign them to a non-routable IP address, and this is essential if you want to know how to secure your IP camera. The local-only model is often written at the manufacturer’s manual, or through their main website.
Assign Different Passwords to Your Cameras
Some IP cameras require passwords. However, in most cases, they are usually turned off due to default settings. By this, owners and users tend to forget adding a password for security and protection, a camera without a password can be easily accessed by hackers.
Most IP cameras offer some basic authentication requirements. It may not be as strong as you think, but they’ll deter hackers or take them quite long before they could access your cameras. Ensure the protection of your camera by periodically changing their username and passwords over time.
Change the Default Administrator Password and Username
Most hackers easily access cameras because owners forget that they should change the pre-installed admin username and password. It is always set by default; that’s why it should be noted that you should change everything immediately once they are installed. If you haven’t changed the default password and username, you can easily check it through the manufacturer’s website or their support links.
Don’t Place IP Cameras Where They Shouldn’t Be
This is real, especially if you don’t want hackers to see what you are doing. That’s why it is important to consider where they should be placed in the first place. IP cameras shouldn’t be placed inside your home as they can easily see your movements and the movements around it. Even if you think your cameras are secured, there’s always the possibility that they aren’t safe for hackers, especially for highly experienced ones.
Turn WPA2 Encryption
This is especially great for wireless IP cameras. This is to prevent eavesdroppers from entering your video feeds. Join your IP camera to a WPA2-encrypted wireless network so that it can’t be easily accessed.
It is important for owners always to check the manufacturer’s website to update what firmware is already out. It is to make sure that the updated version doesn’t contain any unpatched vulnerability that the hackers might exploit and other online voyeurs,
Conclusion
IP cameras are making waves due to their use and are a better alternative compared to traditional CCTV cameras. They are here to stay for quite long as they provide security, safety, and protection inside out. However, hackers and online voyeurs are always there trying to access your video feeds. As an owner, it is important to know how to secure your IP camera. Besides, these can be done in minimal time. Here’s how to learn more about Security Cameras.