Experts warn webcam security is lacking and urge owners to set passwords claims the Daily Mail,

If your ‘safer use of technology’ policy is complete, done and dusted you might like to drag it out again.  A report in the daily mail warns that webcams and CCTV are being hacked.

Whether it’s in your bedroom or your bathroom, voyeurs are able to secretly watch you through your webcam if you haven’t got the right security settings.

Now Shodan, a search engine for the Internet of Things, has launched a new section that lets users easily browse webcams without a password.

It includes feeds from childrens’ bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, marijuana plantations, schools and even the back rooms of banks.

The site aims to raise awareness of how easy it is to hack into webcams, as well as highlight how little is being done to address the issue.

Summary

  • Shodan lets you browse webcams that haven’t changed default password
  • Includes feeds from childrens’ bedrooms, living rooms, schools and banks
  • Aims to highlight how little has been done about the issue in recent years
  • Hacking can be prevented by changing factory-set default security codes

Safeguarding Risks inside your children’s home

Our IT expert, Dr Danesfahani said ‘it is a real and present danger’ as technology becomes more advanced, loopholes can be exploited. Risks include the following 8 potentials, but thankfully,  there are various tools that can be used to help circumvent the risks. 

  1. Whether it’s in your bedroom or your bathroom, voyeurs are able to secretly watch you through your webcam if you haven’t got the right security settings. This includes watching feeds from childrens’ bedrooms, living rooms and schools.
  2. People are being watched in the privacy of their living rooms and bedrooms without them realising they are being closely observed.
  3. Feeds from childrens’ bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms marijuana plantations, schools and even the back rooms of banks are live.
  4. Pedophiles are using the technique to target youngsters – mainly girls – who have computers in their bedrooms.
  5. The technique works by fooling the victim into downloading a piece of software on to their computer.
  6. This is usually done by sending an email requesting the user to click the link to see a picture or listen to a song.
  7. Teenagers have been targeted through internet links advertising diet tips or celebrity stories.
  8. Once installed, the ‘remote administration tool’ (RAT) software allows hackers to take control of the machine at any time

Action

The implications for safeguarding in Children’s Social Care, will need to be considered in places where,

Children have access to technology.

CCTV is used on the premises Read more:

Reviewing your safeguarding policy.

Better to be safe than sorry.

No IT – No worries – call us on 0800 1 30 30 90 and we will be happy to talk through your security options or email reza@rezume.co.uk