Families are advised to protect baby monitors against online attacks. Abu Dhabi: In response to growing concerns that scammers may utilize lax security measures to breach private homes, the UAE Cybersecurity Council has advised families to strengthen security on baby monitors and home surveillance equipment. According to Emarat Al Youm, the council emphasized in an awareness campaign that although families frequently use these gadgets to keep an eye on their houses and protect youngsters while their parents are away, if simple security precautions are neglected, they might become easy targets for hackers.
Now ubiquitous in Emirati homes, baby monitors and linked webcams enable parents to keep tabs on their kids from a distance, frequently using smartphone apps. A lot of models provide two-way communication, motion or sound warnings, and audio and video streams. However, the Council cautioned that these conveniences could be used as weapons. According to the council, “an unprotected baby monitor can allow intruders to speak directly to children, record conversations, and track movements inside the home.” To ensure “a smart and safe home,” parents should use strong passwords and maintain their equipment updated.
Attackers frequently take advantage of two vulnerabilities, according to cybersecurity expert Abdelnour Sami: machines without password protection and those still using factory default credentials. “Anyone in the world could access the camera in such cases,” he stated. Hackers even exchange lists of unprotected devices with one another. With a weak password, access is inevitable. Sami went on to say that fake cameras, especially those without software updates or international security certifications, represent a significant risk. He claimed that although original branded devices could be more expensive, they are patched frequently and are much less susceptible to security breaches.
Sami cautioned that scammers have also created social engineering techniques. Claiming to “fix” a device, some pretend to be customer service agents in order to obtain remote access and utilize the recorded video for blackmail. “Home camera feed leaks are no longer limited to the dark web,” he stated. “The harm to families is being exacerbated by clips that are now appearing on public websites.” The council has previously drawn attention to the increasing prevalence of smart homes in the United Arab Emirates, pointing out that over 70% of household Internet of Things devices may be subject to assaults if improperly secured.
