Bedroom Security Cameras hacked || Google Maps' Christmas gift to users
CyberInsights #124 - For as little as US $6, a hacker group offers bedroom camera feed || Google stop storing location data on its servers and stores it locally instead
Vietnamese Hacking group offers cheap access to hacked bedroom cameras
Simple to setup, easy to hack. IoT devices can cause more damage than just security breaches.
A Vietnamese hacking group sells bedroom camera footage on Telegram. [LINK].
Security cameras connected to the internet is the norm. Default passwords not changed is the norm. Firmware not updated is the norm.
What isn’t the norm is having internet connected security cameras in the bedroom!
Take Action:
First, GET SECURITY CAMERAS OUT OF BEDROOMS!
Then, read the article for 10 tips to secure your IOT devices.
Update Firmware
Strong Passwords
Secure your Wi-Fi
Change default settings
Enable 2FA
Check for suspicious activity (monitor)
Keep cameras offline when not in use
Purchase from reputable brands
Secure Physical access to cameras
Regularly review camera logs (This one is the same as point 6, but I guess the authors wanted an even 10. Who reads “9 tips for securing your bedroom cameras”, right?)
Google will no longer store your location data on Google maps. It’s a win for data privacy
Instead, it will store the data locally on the device. A welcome Christmas gift!
I read it first on Bruce Schneier’s blog. It was as simple one liner. [LINK]
Then the business insider article that actually covered this. [LINK]
What this means is that law enforcement cannot force Google to release the data. This will, no doubt, restart the whole national security vs. data privacy debate. Today, it is very easy for law enforcement to seek and receive location data from big tech. In most geographies, big tech willingly complies. This can be used by regressive regimes to create a surveillance state where law enforcement has unlimited access to data at the click of a button.
Take Action:
Nothing to do here, but probably read up more on the security vs. privacy debate and make non-cybersecurity folks understand the implications of privacy loss. In my book last year, I have a chapter on how privacy loss impacts people. You can buy it here. [LINK]
Have a great new year 2024, readers! Stay Cyber Safe. There will be no newsletter next week. See you the week after.