ISRAEL AT WAR
Israel's cyber authorities warn home-camera owners against potential hacking by terrorists
The Israeli National Cyber Directorate has urged citizens to take precautions regarding their home security cameras amidst concerns of potential hacking by hostile entities
The Israeli National Cyber Directorate has issued a warning to Israeli citizens in recent days, urging them to take precautions regarding their home security cameras amidst concerns of potential hacking by hostile entities.
This alert coincides with the ongoing conflict against terrorist organizations in Gaza and increased tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon. The announcement highlights that during these turbulent times, unauthorized access attempts on these cameras by hostile actors in the vicinity are anticipated.
The National Cyber Directorate has stressed that given the current security situation, adversaries could exploit home cameras for espionage purposes. Consequently, homeowners are strongly advised to bolster the security of their cameras through several straightforward measures. These include modifying the default password via the camera's user interface, implementing a two-step verification code, and regularly updating the camera's security features through the management interface.
Furthermore, authorities emphasize a basic recommendation, which involves either physically covering the camera or temporarily disconnecting it from the power source.
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According to data provided by the authorities in Israel, as of 2022, there were approximately 66,000 home and security cameras in the country that remained vulnerable to remote takeover due to the continued use of default passwords, unchanged since the initial camera installation.
This warning follows previous reports received by the directorate from citizens and businesses regarding unauthorized access to their cameras. Home cameras are widely employed for monitoring residences, businesses, and even kindergartens, but they are often shipped with easily discoverable default passwords, making them susceptible to exploitation. Hackers vary in their motivations, encompassing a wide range of malicious activities.
Beyond the invasion of personal privacy, a compromised camera allows for the collection and storage of data, which can be used for theft, manipulation, identity theft, and even extortion. Unauthorized access to these devices can unveil sensitive information such as who is at home, their daily routines, and the contents of the premises, all of which represent serious privacy violations.
