All internet-connected devices can be hacked, and that includes my WIFI baby monitor. So I decided to take the following measures to secure my monitor.
Some types of baby monitors, like analog or WIFI, are more susceptible to hacking. It’s true your baby monitor can probably be hacked into, but it doesn’t mean you should get rid of it. Here’s my advice on how to choose a the safest monitor and how to make it safer.
If you’re seeking for the most secured monitor and hoping to find real reviews from real parents. You should check out this list I created of the top baby monitors of 2020.
Can a baby monitor be hacked?
It’s becoming common, that hackers find flaws in baby monitor security and reverse them into spy-cam. According to research conduct by security experts, some baby monitors have poor security practices, which leave the monitor predisposed to a hijacking.
It’s not necessarily the monitor itself who’s the problem, but the online portal accessible via the app. Today, most modern baby monitors are connected to the parent’s smartphone via an online app.
In this particular research
, they found that anybody could go into the portal, enter a random user ID with the default password and gain access to baby monitor live-stream.
Your new smart devices could be hack into
Research conduct by security expert and system engineering, Dr. Yossi Oren and his student, have come to the conclusion that thousands of Internet-connected smart devices have been already hacked due to poor security.
While testing various device into their lab, they manage to gain access to the video and audio of certain baby monitors. Some researchers were shocked by the lack of security because they were also users of such product at home. They also found that once the hacker has access to one of your device, he can enter the others devices connected to the home WIFI network.
Another day, another baby monitor hack
There’s dozen of hacking stories you can find on Google, but it’s this one who caught my attention.
A mom from South Carolina, notice the monitor camera was moving. She first assumes it was her husband checking on their baby while he’s at work. But one day, while all the family member were sitting at the dinner table, they notice the camera moving again. The camera was slowly turning to where she used to sit and breastfeed her baby. It’s at that moment they knew someone was watching. They immediately unplug the camera and decide to report it to the police.
For how long the hack had access to the camera? What else they saw? I’m sure this couple had a little moment of panic.
I think they were right to be panicking. What if the creep was more than a voyeur?
An hacked monitor could put your home and family at risk
An unsecured baby monitor could be compared to a wide open door at your house. Hackers with access to audio and video of your home could hurt you physically, or they could steal from you. At least they can cause severe emotional stress to your family.
Who are those hackers?
1. The Prankster
Most of the hackers will be pranksters. They probably graduate from phone prank, and they are looking for a way to scare you. Some baby monitors are a two-way communication intercom.
With this walkie-talkie feature, the pranksters can listen or talk to your baby. Via Google or popular parents forums, you can find tones of those stories. They first thought it was a ghost, and finally, realize it was the immature neighbor.
2. The Voyeur
Other hackers can be considered voyeurs. Your home could be their new favorite reality show. They will sit in silence behind their computer, and try to catch private or intimate moments. Or maybe they just like to pretend like they are part of your family.
Even if it’s not doing your harm directly, you never know when it could escalate. To me, that sounds like a horror movie.
3. The Burglars
It could be burglars watching your routine and waiting for the right moment to pay you a visit.
4. The Identity Thief
The identity thieves are a sophisticated type of hackers. They will use the audio and the video, to steal personal information. They could want your online banking or your email passwords.
5. The Criminals
Finally, the hackers could be looking for personal information just to blackmail you. I’m sure criminals can be creative when it comes to taking your money.
Your security and privacy is essential
Please, don’t panic! I know it could sound hopeless, but my goal is not to scare you or make you feel more anxious. Plus I don’t want to look like that conspiracy theorist at your work. But, while I was researching this subjects, I felt really paranoid at some point.
Before you make a decision, please read the following information and advise on how to protect your privacy.
The internet of things
A while ago, you could easily do a Google search to find websites which were live-streaming the video content of many internet-connected home cameras, including baby monitors. Of course, the people were not aware and it’s was a severe risk for those families.
Now, security experts and wireless transmission device manufacturers are cracking down on such websites. But it’s not going anywhere as long as people are not taking their privacy more seriously.
Today, we see more smart devices connected to the internet. Those internet-connected products are part of what we call the internet of things (IoT). The categories vary from smartphones to dishwashers, and it also includes many kids toys.
The risks with IoT devices
Most of us know what to do to protect our computers from virus and hackers, but we must also secure those other internet-connected things.
Every smart product we have at home can be used again us. Hackers will look for security breach into a smart TV or a home security system. They are most likely to find a security gap in such devices instead of your personal computer because they are relatively new and we are not used to securing them.
It’s our responsibility as consumers to choose carefully which product we buy. By avoiding unsafe monitors, It will send a clear message to manufacturers who are not taking our privacy seriously enough.
In the baby monitors department, it’s essential to choose a product that is safer than the other. Going for the cheapest options is not the right strategy.
Bear with me, while we learn which baby monitors are safe.
Is it secure to use a baby monitor?
Every parent’s nightmare is to learn that a stranger is spying on them and their kids. But, in today world, it’s not rare that we hear those stories in the news. According to security specialist Bruce Schneier and Avi Rubin, it’s almost impossible to know how secure a device is.
But, there are specific precautions you can take to ensure your privacy is more protected. A good start is to use a strong password and update your firmware regularly.
Should I be concerned with my privacy?
I always taught it couldn’t happen to me and the chance was close to zero. It’s a risk I was taking by using the same password everywhere.
But when it comes to the security and privacy of my kids, I try to become more vigilant. Children are the most vulnerable, and it’s our jobs, as a parent to protect them.
Since I have kids, it’s not a chance I’m willing to take.
What types of technologies are safer?
It’s not all wireless transmissions that use the same technologies. It’s essential to know the difference to understand the level of security of your baby monitor.
Can analog baby monitors be hacked?
This is the most common technology and also the earliest type of transmission. It uses the same frequency as radio (49 MHz or 900 MHz) to transmit.
It very common for analog wireless devices to interfere with each other. This why your analog baby monitor gives you the ability to switch between two channels.
From a hacker perspective, they are the most straightforward baby monitor to spy on. You just need another analog monitor, and you could walk around the neighborhood to spy on your neighbors.
Remember that if you can hear them, they can also listen to you.
Can digital baby monitors be hacked?
A digital signal uses encrypted numbers to transmit audio and video. As opposed to the radio waves from the analog signal.
Digital transmission is more secure because even if someone is using the same wireless device as you, he can’t accidentally spy on you.
If you’re seeking for the most secured monitor and hoping to find real reviews from real parents. You should check out this list I created of the top baby monitors of 2020.
Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum
To avoid accidental eavesdropping, some digital baby monitors are using the Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS), which automatically switch frequency signals in a random sequence.
By quickly switching channels to transmit, it’s making it more difficult for anyone to listen or watch.
It’s not a full-proof technology, because hackers, with the right equipment, could follow your signals across channels.
Also, it’s not rare that digital baby monitors experience some interference with others wireless device operating on the same frequency.
Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications
To avoid those inconvenient interferences, some baby monitors will use the Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) technology. Wireless transmission devices with DECT are less sensitive to interferences.
Again, a baby monitor equipped with DECT technology is not hack-proof. Any hacker resolves enough to spy on you can always find a way with the right equipment.
But, in my opinion, it’s more secure because nobody can listen or watch by accident. It’s like locking your doors, it keeps people from coming into your house, but someone who really wants to go in can find its way.
Finally, like the analog monitor, a digital baby monitor has limited capacity because of it’s short range signal. Meaning there’s a maximum distance you can separate the monitor from the receiver before you lose the signal. Which could be a good thing to prevent hackers from catching the signal, but it could be a downside for people with a large house to cover.
Can a WIFI baby monitor be hacked?
WIFI is now the most popular way to transmit with smartphones, laptops, sports watches, etc. This is why it’s becoming widely used in the baby monitor world.
The main advantage of WIFI monitors is the unlimited range you can cover with your device. If you allow you WIFI baby monitor to be connected to the internet, you could be watching your baby from Paris. Which is not a good idea, because we all know what happens when we leave a kid home alone.
On the other hand, internet-connected devices are becoming the primary target for hackers. They prey on old firmware and security breach caused by consumers naivety.
Most of the hacked baby monitors are WIFI and internet-connected apps.
To be safe, a WIFI baby monitor requires you take extra measure to secure the transmission.
Can a non-WIFI baby monitor be hacked?
WIFI baby monitors are more accessible to hackers from around the world because of the internet connection. But baby monitor without WIFI can also be hacked, and you must take the necessary precaution.
Non WIFI baby monitor requires proximity between the monitor and the hacker. If you live in the city with many neighbors, it’s possible that someone can “accidentally” catch your baby monitor transmission.
11 Tips to keep your baby monitor safe from hacking
Every parent should take the extra steps to make their baby monitor more secure. It’s not because your monitor is not on the hackable list that you can pass on the following advice.
1. Regularly update the monitor software and app
By regularly updating your baby monitor software or app, you are protecting your self for potential security hole who are exposing you to possible hacking.
If the manufacturer has not released an update in a long time, it’s a bad sign, the monitor could be unsafe, and you should stay away from it.
Some baby monitor brand, ask you to register the monitor online to get the latest update by email.
2. WIFI baby monitor; regularly update your router software and firmware
Don’t let your personal computer or local network vulnerable to hackers. Regularly update your software and firmware. It’s the only solution to stay updated on the latest security threat.
3. Create a unique ID and a strong password
Change the default ID and password on your baby monitor software or app. The first thing a hacker will do is test the default ID and password. By changing both, you make their task more difficult.
Also, don’t use the same ID and password across all your devices or personal online accounts. Too many people, including me, are using the same password everywhere. This is a critical vulnerability because a hacker could access all your account if your password is revealed. Almost every year, a large company database is hacked, and the user profile, including email and password, are sold to identity thieves.
If you don’t want to memorize more than 100 passwords you could change them every year or use a password manager like 1Password.
Your password should be a unique combination of letters, numbers and special characters. Aim for a minimum of 9 digits password.
Same advice apply to your WIFI network. If you had to share your password with guests, it’s a good idea to change it regularly. A hacker could get your password by hacking into your friend’s smartphone or laptop.
Also, I would advise choosing your WIFI ID wisely. Don’t make it too easy to identify your WIFI network by using your family name, address or anything unique to you.
4. Allow access only via your local WIFI Network, not the internet!
I would strongly recommend, you set your monitor to operate via your local WIFI network. Restricting the connection to your home network will reduce the possibilities of being spied on.
5. Enable remote access only if you need to
Most of baby monitor been hack were remotely access via the internet. If you disable this functionality, you are significantly upgrading the level of security of your monitor.
On the other hand, If you are traveling for work and you want to access your baby monitor to see your cute little baby, you can always enable the feature temporarily.
6. Change the default camera access port
To secure the connection between your baby monitor and the online portal, you should always start by changing the default password. Also, you can go the extra mile and change the default camera access port. Usually, it should be at 80, but you can modify it to anything over 8200.
7. Check who’s accessing your monitor
Some online portal let you view the connexion history on your monitor. This is where you can spot unusual activity.
8. Use a router with wireless encryption
The technology with internet routers has significantly improved over the years, to make them more secure. Today, the data encryption is done mainly with three methods: wired equivalency protection (WEP), Wi-Fi protected access (WPA), and Wi-Fi protected access 2 (WPA2).
The WPA2 is the safest methods available
It’s possible that your routers need to be manually updated to WPA2. So, it’s time to open your user manual. If you don’t have it, you can surely fond an online version by simply search for your router name on google.
9. Turn off your baby monitor when not in use
You can significantly reduce the risk of being hack by turning off your monitor when you are not using it.
10. Unable Dynamic Domain Name System (DDNS)
The DDNS maps internet domain names to your IP addresses. Making your device accessible from anywhere on the planet. This technology is mostly used for support purposes, but it can also be a backdoor used by hackers. If you ever need remote assistance in the future, you only have to enable this function.
11. Unable Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)
The UPnP is what makes your device visible on your local network. By disabling such functionality, your monitor becomes inaccessible by hackers. But it can also interrupt the data sharing between your monitor and your smartphone app.
How to choose a secure baby monitor?
When I was looking for the most secure baby monitor to get, I try to select the one which corresponds to the following criteria. Here’s how I could find which baby monitor is safe from hacking.
Should I go for an analog or digital monitor?
The analog monitor is very common because it’s the less expensive options, but anyone close enough to you could listen in (accidentally or not). On the other hand, a digital monitor is using more level of security, which make it more difficult for a person to get access.
Get a monitor that uses the FHSS Technology
The FHSS Technology allows more channels in the same frequency band. Reducing the chance of accidental (or not) eve-dropping on your baby monitor. Because of this, we can say it’s more “secure.”
What is FHSS?
The FCC does not require any licenses to transmit via the 2.4-GHz frequency, making it very popular for manufacturers of wireless devices. This popularity, make those channels very crowded, which increase the chance to, accidentally or not, interfere with your baby monitor.
There are two methods to transmit on the 2.4-GHz frequencies, the frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) and direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS).
The FHSS offers the possibility to transmit via a multitude of channels in the same frequency band. While the DSSS only have three channels.
Therefore the FHSS is a more secure option.
Get the newest monitor
To make sure your monitor software is updated with the latest technology, I would suggest you get the newest models from a known manufacturer.
If you’re seeking for the most secured monitor and hoping to find real reviews from real parents. You should check out this list I created of the top baby monitors of 2020.
Which baby monitors are safe from hacking?
There’s no doubt that your privacy and security are vital, and you should get a secured monitor. This is why the New York Department of Current Affairs has published a warning to consumers about the safety of WIFI baby monitor.
They clearly state that an Internet-connected monitor could be an open door to predators if you don’t take action to secure it. They also recommend you first do your research to be aware of possible vulnerabilities with your future monitor.
Therefore, I did my own research and here’s what I found.
Which baby monitor was hacked?
First, let’s take a look at the list of baby monitors who had security issues. You should avoid those monitors because of their inadequate security.
- D-Link DCS 933L
- Fredi
- Gyonii GCW-1010
- iBaby M3S
- iBaby M6
- Lens LL-BC01W
- Philips B120/37
- Summer 28630
- TRENDnet TV-IP743SIC
- WiFiBaby WFB2015
- Withing WBP01
Sources: D Link Lawsuit, Baby Monitor disclosure – Rapid7
Most of those baby monitors were tested by a group of security experts. The results have proven the lack of security and the vulnerabilities of those baby monitors.
The problem with some baby monitors is they have backdoor only accessible by the manufacturer and not the consumer. They were made for support purpose, but they can also be bypass by hackers.
Another majors flaws are the default password used to access the online portal for the first time. With this password, the consumer uses their baby monitor serial numbers has a user ID. Unfortunately, parents are not changing the password for a new one. Any hacker could use a software to test random ID with the default password and gain access to random monitor audio and video.
Which baby monitor type cannot be hacked?
The most secure baby monitor would be hardwired on a close network, only accessible from a dedicated monitor. Those type of home surveillance system are expensive and require professional installation.
In my opinion, this sounds a bit overkill for a baby monitor.
Unfortunately, there’s no holy grail. But I would consider a baby monitor who’s transmitting on a 2.4GHz frequency using FHSS technology.
The only downside with this type of monitor is they are not accessible via my smartphone, and they have a limited range.
P.S. If you’re seeking for the best baby monitor and hoping to find real reviews from real parents. You should check out this list I created of the top baby monitors.
To get the best insights and tips to find the best baby monitor, I read more than 300 reviews online and ask my friends or others parents. From all their insights and my own experience, I’ve built this list of the best baby monitors.