Hacking is a big fear for homeowners who have a security system. A criminal can access your video footage and spy on you through your cameras. However, hacking is commonly associated with wireless systems. You may be curious, “can wired security cameras be hacked too?”
Someone can hack a wired security camera if they gain physical access to the security system. The benefit of wired security cameras is that they cannot be interfered with through Wi-Fi or other remote means. You can prevent hacking by keeping your system protected.
While hacking is a concern, you can reduce the chances of being a victim by making a few simple changes. Keep reading to learn if wired security cameras can be hacked and how you can stop it from happening.
Wireless vs Wired Security Camera Security
Wired security cameras are the more secure option compared to wireless security cameras. Most wireless cameras have vulnerabilities that cause them to shut off without WIFI and lose signal. A wireless security camera user must prevent Wi-Fi jamming for the best results.
A wired security camera system connects to the home with an ethernet cable. Without power, the cameras will still capture and save the video to the DVR. The biggest concern for the wired cameras is keeping the DVR in a safe location where someone can’t gain unauthorized access.
If you have a wireless security camera, you must focus on protecting your signal. A signal jammer can quickly impact a system from capturing any video. Many security experts recommend installing a mixture of wired and wireless security cameras.
The owner with the wired options will still catch a criminal who plants a signal jammer in their yard. Additionally, if someone cuts the ethernet cord with scissors, you can still record them with wireless cameras.
Can Wired Security Cameras Be Hacked?
Unlike wireless security cameras, the hacking process for wired cameras requires someone to access your system physically. Once someone has found your DVR, they can hack the system and gain remote access.
While most wired security cameras connect with an ethernet cable, some will also require a WIFI connection. The WIFI connection is one of the weaknesses that someone will look to exploit, with many instances of this happening.
If you are serious about your home’s security, using a strictly wired system with no wireless connection is best. The only way a criminal can access your wired security cameras is by spending time messing with your physical DVR.
Accessing your security system DVR should require a passcode or key. Keeping your wired system locked will remove all the common problems with your security system. Once locked, you can have better peace of mind that your system is secure.
How to Find Out Someone Hacked Your Wired Security Camera
There are some common signs if you suspect your wired security camera was hacked. However, you should rule out technical camera issues before determining whether someone accessed your system.
Lost Video Footage
When someone wants to gain access to your security cameras, the reason is usually to prevent you from recording them. You will have difficulty identifying their crimes without any video evidence.
If someone wants to get rid of the video footage, they will typically remove the storage from the DVR. For a completely wired security camera, all the footage is stored in the local storage and will be lost.
Unfortunately, you can do nothing to regain access if someone steals the storage from your system. You will have to use other methods to find the criminal and hopefully recover the lost camera video footage.
Abnormal Camera Movement
If a tech-savvy criminal gains access to your security system, they will be able to control the cameras. Once they gain access, the criminal can move the cameras to spy on you and your family in daily life.
Security cameras tracking your movement clearly show that someone has gained access. You should inspect your system for external devices if you notice abnormal camera movement.
Spotting a device on your system is a sign someone planted it and is hacking your system. Contact a local security system company to have them check your device for other components that could affect you.
Inability to Access System
A veteran hacker will deny you access to your security cameras while they continue to affect your system. If you have a wired security camera with remote access, you should be able to access them whenever.
If you suddenly can’t view your cameras, this may be a sign someone is hacking your system. Try to change the password of your cameras and disconnect the cameras from the wireless signal.
However, before you think of the worst possible scenario, you should first check for technical issues. You may be able to access the security camera system by simply restarting the security system.
How to Protect Against Someone Hacking Your Wired Cameras
Now that you know the signs someone hacked your wired security cameras, it’s best to learn how to prevent it. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to protect your system against hackers and continue proper operation.
Secure Camera Equipment
The best way to guard your security cameras is by making them hard to access. Keep your DVR locked away from people and put your security cameras in hard-to-reach locations. The goal is to prevent thieves from easily accessing your cameras.
You should also secure your router if you have a wired security system that requires a wireless connection. Protecting your camera and recording equipment is the most effective way to improve security.
With this simple change, you can significantly reduce the chances of being a victim of hacking. However, many homeowners don’t believe the importance of this and think someone won’t hack them until it’s too late.
Separate Networks Within a Home
Most homeowners keep every system connected to the same WIFI network. If a hacker gains access to their router, it will affect their entire home. Having separate networks will improve the overall security of your systems.
If a hacker jams the security cameras in one network in your home, you can still gain access to other cameras around the property. While this may seem excessive, it’s a lifesaver for those who are victims of a hacking attack.
Update Firmware Frequently
When manufacturers find new weaknesses in their systems, they will have updates for their software. Without these updates, you can be targeted for your system and have someone gain easy access.
Don’t run outdated equipment on your property if you want to keep your system safe. The outdated system will be full of exploits that make you an easy target. Check your security camera for firmware updates frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wired security cameras are the better option for security and protecting your camera footage. Wireless security cameras benefit from convenience and cloud storage options that make them easy for homeowners. We recommend wired CCTV as the safest option against hackers.
All security cameras have the possibility of being hacked by a skilled criminal. However, a wired security system is the best option to prevent hacking and to lose surveillance footage to a criminal. You cannot gain remote access with a wired system and can store video footage locally.
Most wired security cameras don’t need Wi-Fi and operate on a home’s telephone line. Connecting an ethernet cable to the system allows you to record footage without a wireless connection. Some wired cameras will use a Wi-Fi connection to offer dual storage options for users.
Conclusion
Are you worried, “can wired security cameras be hacked?” You aren’t alone, as many homeowners are worried about criminals exploiting their systems. Fortunately, most wired systems guard against the common ways a criminal would hack a wireless security system.
It would be best if you focused mainly on protecting the DVR and recording equipment with a wired system. Keep the recording equipment locked away in a hard-to-reach location for potential intruders.
With these things in mind, you can now set up your wired security camera system and know your system is safe.
My wired cameras are yale
He hacked through the app! He’s got password off his own & I can’t access them
I have caught him changing days
I reported to police but the will not accept its possible!
I’m sorry to hear that. I recommend contacting Yale technical support and resetting the credentials to your account.
What if you have say, 87 acres to cover? That is a lot of wired Ethernet cable to run. I like the idea of seeing trespassers and poachers on my land, but you can buy jacking equipment for WiFi hijacking’s and jamming for cheap. I thought about buying independent hunting cameras that have to be checked without WiFi. Maybe even a drone. I would go with less security over having my security used against me.
Hello, I agree that running wired security cameras in this case would be too much installation time and maintenance required for 87 acres. A few solutions I can think of is installing cellular trail cameras that send photos to your mobile device using the cellular network and not WiFi, solar-powered cameras with local storage, and I think the drone would be a good idea for real-time monitoring. You can set up battery-powered motion sensors that give alerts to the access points of the property and have a drone on standby to assess who is entering.
Hi, could my neighbour through the wall from me be able to double wire and get his own DVR? And hack into my cctv that way? I’ve got all the signs, me and dog hear him when he’s there, very scary!
I’ve had to put cctv (hardwired, not connected to Internet!) into my loft as found out there was no firewall and he had full access to my house.
On the camera’s I can see the same wire that’s connected onto my camera’s going into his so is it possible to double wire please? To scared to go and check. Thank you.
Hi Thomas-
I have a wired Wisenet DVR for my ADT system. I got this after my apartment was broken into multiple times despite numerous lock changes. I still think this person is gaining access even with ADT because there has been skipped footage- where 10-15 minutes will be missing right in the middle of recording. I’m talking with an ADT manager today and wondering what you might recommend I ask or do? The DVR is a bit loud, just like my router was when it was first hacked. Is that a sign of hacking too? I think the sensors are being jammed- what can ADT do about that? Thank you!