Your efforts to keep your baby safe may not be as secure as you think according to security researchers, after reported incidences of hackers screaming “Wake up!! Wake up!!” at babies through baby monitors.
Cyber security company, Rapid7, released their findings on Wednesday after discovering that 7 of the products in the range that they tested had defects that allow hackers to view your video stream.
Experts are blaming a lack of security in gadgets that communicate with the internet, which enables products to be sold without standardised security, which puts consumers at risk.
Cnet.com reported that Mark Stanislav, a senior security consultant at Rapid7, said companies are starting to realise they need to agree upon standards that will make internet connected devices more secure, but it won’t be immediate.
Hackers being able to view your baby is a parent’s worst nightmare but larger potential threats include being able to use the tiny computer inside the device that communicates with the internet as an entryway into your home enabling them to steal sensitive information.
Parents can protect their families by ensuring they update default passwords, and keep software up-to-date at all times.
They should even consider unplugging the device when not in use, Stanislav said.
