Smart home cameras have become a necessity. You already know that it helps in monitoring what is happening indoors and outdoors, even when you are not at home.
But while these cameras are undoubtedly useful, they also pose a huge risk Privacy risks. A new study highlights outdoor security camera apps as some of the biggest collectors of user data.
This includes sensitive personal information such as email addresses, phone numbers, payment details, precise location, and more.
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Smart outdoor camera (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutson)
How can smart home cameras spy on you?
According to A Study conducted by SurfsharkExternal surveillance camera applications are among the most important offending applications when it comes to collecting user data. These apps collect 12 data points on average, including sensitive details like email addresses, phone numbers, payment information, and precise location. This is 50% more than what other smart home devices typically collect. What's worse is that these apps often connect up to seven of these data points directly to your identity.
Homeland security Camera applications They are slightly less data hungry but still raise privacy concerns. They collect an average of nine data points, six of which are typically linked to users' identities. Data commonly collected includes email addresses, phone numbers, user IDs, device IDs, purchase history, and voice data. While this information can help improve the user experience, it also increases the risk of a privacy violation.
One of the biggest concerns with outdoor and indoor security camera applications is the type of data they collect. Many of these apps collect personal information such as your name, email, phone number, and physical address. Some apps, like Arlo, Deep Sentinel, and D-Link, collect data about your contacts, which can be accessed outside the app. This data is not actually necessary for the applications to do their job.
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Which apps collect the most data?
Among the apps collecting the most data, Deep Sentinel and Lorex stand out in third-party applications Security cameraseach collecting 18 out of 32 possible data points. Nest Labs, which leads the indoor camera lineup, collects 17 data points, while Ring and Arlo each collect 15.
The lack of regulations and standards for smart home devices creates significant privacy risks. Without clear guidelines, users are vulnerable to data breaches, cyberattacks, and even physical harm. Some apps track users for targeted ads or share data with third parties and data brokers. While outdoor security cameras typically avoid tracking, indoor cameras like Nooie and Canary Connect engage in user tracking, further complicating privacy concerns.
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9 ways to stay safe from the risks associated with smart home cameras
1. Limit data sharing: Look for smart home camera apps that let you control what data is shared. Many apps provide settings that allow you to disable certain data collection features, such as location tracking or audio recording. Customizing these settings can significantly reduce the risk of exposing personal information.
2. Review and update your privacy settings regularly: Smart home cameras often receive software updates that may change privacy settings. It's important to review your app privacy settings regularly to make sure they align with your preferences. Disable unnecessary features, such as sharing data with third-party apps or advertisers.
3. Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA): Make sure that the Camera app and its associated accounts are protected with strong, unique passwords. Consider using a Password manager To generate and store complex passwords.
4. Enable Two-factor authentication (2FA) Where applicable: This adds an extra layer of security in case your account information is compromised.
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5. Pay attention to the camera placement: If your camera collects sensitive data like audio or images of people in your home, be mindful of where you put it. Avoid placing cameras in private areas such as bedrooms or bathrooms. This reduces the amount of sensitive data the camera can capture.
6. Consider using local storage instead of cloud services: Some cameras offer local storage options, where footage is stored directly on a device such as a hard drive or SD card, rather than in the cloud. This keeps your data safe since it cannot be accessed over the internet and is less likely to be exposed during a data breach.
7. Use a VPN: Encrypt your internet connection with a VPN to protect data transferred from your smart home devices. This is an easy yet powerful way to add an extra layer of protection to your network. Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service. It can enhance your privacy by encrypting your internet traffic, making it difficult for hackers and third parties to intercept your data, especially on public Wi-Fi networks. A VPN masks your IP address, which helps hide your location and online activity. Although VPNs don't directly block phishing emails, they reduce the exposure of your browsing habits to trackers who might use this data maliciously. With a VPN, you can safely access your email accounts from anywhere, even in areas with restrictive internet policies. For the best VPNs, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your device Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices
8. Review privacy policies regularly: Stay informed about how your devices and apps collect, store, and share your data. Make sure you are aware of any changes to our privacy terms that may affect your information.
9. Think Homeland security systems With enhanced physical security featuresBut be aware that, like all smart devices, they collect a variety of user data, including personal information, device data, and location tracking. To reduce privacy risks, here are some tips for adjusting settings within most security system apps:
- Disable location tracking: The security company may use location data for features like geofencing, triggering actions based on how close you are to your home. If you're concerned about privacy, you can disable location tracking in the app to prevent the system from collecting this data.
- Limit video storage: Many security cameras can store video footage in the cloud, but you can adjust app settings to limit how long footage is stored or automatically delete it after a certain period.
- Adjust device permissions: Review and adjust permissions for devices such as cameras and smart locks to limit data collection. For example, disable audio recording if it is not necessary for your security needs.
- Control sharing of third party data: Your security company may share data with third parties, so it is important to check and disable any settings that allow your data to be shared outside of your security system ecosystem.
By effectively managing these settings and using a VPN, you can significantly reduce your exposure to potential privacy risks associated with your smart home system. Payment My picks for the best security systems.
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Key takeaway for Kurt
The rapid rise of IoT technology has changed the way we live and interact. But without proper rules, companies may put their profits ahead of user safety. This can result in devices with security vulnerabilities and vulnerabilities. A lot of smart home cameras collect more data than they really need and aren't clear about what they're doing with it. They can be sold to third-party companies or used to target you with ads.
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