Are you wondering, “can Blink cameras be hacked?” Blink is a popular brand of home security products, such as smart cameras. Blink cameras allow homeowners to watch encrypted live or recorded video where the cameras are installed on the property.
Unfortunately, the encryption technology associated with Blink cameras is not 100% reliable and foolproof. Some people have reportedly experienced hack attempts on their Blink cameras from anonymous outside hackers.
So, if you are wondering whether your Blink cameras can be hacked, the answer is “yes.” However, this article will provide you with the information you need to reduce your chances of your Blink cameras being affected.
Can Blink Cameras Be Hacked?
No home security camera is 100% safe and resistant to hack attempts. Even commercial-grade security systems of major corporations are susceptible to hackers, so a home-grade security system certainly is vulnerable to hacking attempts.
According to the top cyber security firm “Tenable Inc.,” the newest Blink ST2 security camera model has around seven security vulnerabilities. These security vulnerabilities allow hackers to gain unauthorized access to live video and audio feeds.
As a result, hackers can use these camera vulnerabilities to spy on your property in real-time and download archived footage. Additionally, hackers could also gain access if you connect your Blink cameras to the same wireless network as your other devices.
Imagine hackers controlling your smart door locks, smart alarms, and smart thermostats because of the security vulnerabilities associated with your Blink cameras. They could be hackers from any location, from national to international.
Once they gain control of your home security system, they could lock you out of your home and unlock it for themselves. If you want to protect your home, you must learn the signs your system has been compromised.
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How to Recognize Hack Attempts to Blink Cameras
Slow Video Performance
Blink cameras have CPUs just like computers do. The CPU is responsible for the speed and quality of a camera’s performance. Under normal circumstances, the CPU will quickly process and record video feeds from the camera.
On the other hand, the CPU will not perform as efficiently if overloaded by attempted cyber-attacks. If you recognize slowness in your Blink camera’s video quality, it could mean a hacker is attempting to hack into your Blink home security system.
Try turning off your security system and turning it back on. Most video quality issues can be fixed by resetting the Blink cameras. However, if the camera video is still slow, you may have a hacker problem.
You Hear Strange Voices and Sounds
Two-way audio streaming is a feature of every Blink camera. It allows you to speak to the camera and hear audio picked up from the camera. Hackers could tap into your two-way audio streaming to obtain this power remotely over your camera.
Listen for unusual sounds from your Blink camera, such as strange voices and low-volume talking sounds. These could be the voices and sounds of hackers giving commands to your camera without your knowledge or consent.
Unauthorized Password Change
The most severe sign of a hack attempt is an unauthorized password change to your Blink account. It means a hacker accessed your Blink account and successfully changed your password.
If you receive an email notification of a password change you never authorized, contact the Blink customer support team immediately. Customer support can freeze your account and help you change your password.
How to Reduce the Risk of Hack Attempts to Blink Cameras
When protecting your Blink camera systems, you must learn the various threats you may encounter. Commonly, hackers use a technique called “credential stuffing” to hack into Blink accounts and take control of their security systems.
Credential stuffing is a hacking technique where the hacker takes advantage of data breaches. The potential data breaches give hackers lists of usernames and passwords for various Blink accounts.
After that, they repeatedly enter username and password combinations on the login screen until they can access your account. This technique has been used by criminals to steal accounts of all types, from security cameras to banking accounts.
If you own one or more Blink cameras, you must do everything possible to make your cameras less vulnerable to hack attempts. Below are the top three tips for improving the privacy and protection of your Blink cameras.
Regularly Change Your Blink Account Login Information
How often do you change the username and password of your Blink account? One of the reasons why hackers are successful with credential stuffing is that older login credentials stored on servers have more vulnerabilities than newer credentials.
Hackers can easily obtain your username and password if you last changed them several months ago or years ago. While going through the list of different credentials, you may be the unfortunate victim.
That is why you should make it a habit to change the username and password of your Blink account every couple of months. It will make your Blink account and home security system less vulnerable to credential-stuffing hack attempts.
Update the Firmware of the Blink Cameras
Most computers, smart devices, and other electronic hardware devices have special software programmed into them called firmware. The purpose of firmware is to improve the performance and efficiency of the hardware devices.
Blink cameras have firmware programmed into them that require updates to patch vulnerabilities. Electronic hardware devices frequently need firmware updates, especially when connected to the internet.
Blink firmware updates will often improve the encryption and security of smart devices like Blink cameras to help thwart the latest hacking techniques and attempts facing them.
Use Unique Login Credentials for Each Online Account
Do not use the same username and password for all your online accounts. After all, if a hacker were to obtain the login information for one account, they could access all your other accounts using the same login credentials.
Using unique login credentials for each online account will prevent this from happening. It may be a pain to remember different username and password combinations for each account, but it is the best way to protect those accounts from hackers.
Conclusion
Sure, Blink cameras are hackable like any other home security system. But if you follow the advice outlined above, you can reduce the risk of suffering hack attempts to your Blink home security system.