One has various reasons for installing surveillance cameras in their property, be it commercial or residential. It creates a sense of security in us that no matter what, there is a net around us that people will think of before trying something wrong and if they do, they will be caught in that net (or, in this case, the camera footage). But is this net a trap set for the wolves, or are we living in an illusion? What if, instead of being the hunter, we are the real prey?

The closed-circuit cameras that one uses to protect themselves can easily be hacked and be used to harm them. But it is not all in vain, and it doesn’t mean that you give up on this technology entirely. Here are specific measures to keep you out of the reach of hackers that we have listed down, so be sure to follow them and protect yourself truly.

1) Use a strong yet random password.

The thing you need to do before anything else is to make sure that your CCTV camera has a strong password and also ensure it is not the default credential that you got at the time of buying it. If it is, change it! Make it something random and alphanumeric, not easily guessable or associated with you in any way (such as your name). It should be extended but also easy for you to recall when needed.

2) Use two-factor authorization

A simple and effective way to secure yourself is this. Activating 2factor authorization means starting the facility to receive a code on your phone or email id every time a person logs in to your account. Though it is still penetrable, it provides a solid layer to secure your CCTV surveillance from being hacked.

3) Prioritize Firmware Security

Firmware is the basic code that is embedded in every piece of your software. Firmware communicates with the software so that the commands are executed smoothly.

Now, these firmwares are often not built, keeping security at the forefront, so it becomes rather pernicious for users if it gets penetrated by malware. So it is pertinent to take an active stance in protecting your firmware, too, as hackers often times use this route to get into your system and do their own bidding.

To do so, keep upgrading your firmware manually by logging into your account or set it on automatic.

4) Importance of safe buying

Buying the surveillance system is a crucial task. One of the few specific things to keep in mind is to buy from a trusted source. A trusted source does not necessarily mean a big brand, and it could even be a local brand with robust security features.

Also, do not buy outdated or second-hand systems. It is absolutely essential that you keep upgrading your plans time and again, and for that, you need a modern design that can keep pace with such changes.

So, make sure to buy a system that has the potential to keep up with future upgrades.

And secondly, do NOT but second-hand system as you cannot be sure of the level of security it might provide or what all changes have been made.

5) Keep the Router Safe

The router, too, can be hacked. This creates a threat not only to one device but to all that are connected to it. This can allow hackers to launch malware or even ransomware to prevent you from accessing your own files.

To make the lives of hackers much harder and restricting them from hacking into your system, you can do as follows:

• Enable WPA 2 or WPA 3 encryption
• Disable WPS and set up a strong password
• Change login credentials immediately after buying.
• Upgrade the firmware (cannot emphasize enough on this one)
• Change the router’s network name

This is it. These are five simple steps from getting your CCTV surveillance system from being hacked. These are not foolproof, true, but follow these, and even the smartest of hackers might break a sweat.

Do Not Delay

Do not delay when your security is on the line. Contact our team at CCTV monitoring, and they will help you measure the level of safety your system has and even reinforce the way only a professional can. You can check our website and contact our team, and we will be glad to help you ensure your safety and privacy.