Unsecured IP Cameras Accessible To Everyone

Orome1 writes "In the last couple of decades, we have become so accustomed to the idea that the public portion of our everyday life is watched and recorded — in stores, on the street, in institutions — that we often don't even notice the cameras anymore. Analog surveillance systems were difficult to hack into by people who lacked the adequate knowledge, but IP cameras — having their own IPs — can be quite easily physically located and their stream watched in real-time by anyone who has a modicum of computer knowledge and knows what to search for on Google."

Cameras Everywhere

[NReitzel]

At the University where I work, there are cameras in all of the lobby areas and in many of the labs. They are publicly accessible, for the most part - non-port 22 but otherwise unsecured. However, because the University wants to be able to use the pictures in legal proceedings, all the camera areas are clearly marked with "Video Surveillance" stickers.

I can't speak for anyone else, but it's not that hard to just not do funky things in these areas.

Yes, it intrudes on my sphere, but I have no expectation of privacy at work, or on the street. If I want to do something private, I go somewhere private. It's not that much of a burden, at least to me.

Re:tons of cams are available.

[cusco]

Just an FYI, as someone who does this for a living, most of our competition leaves their cameras at the factory default usernames and passwords. Try root, admin or Admin as usernames, and root, admin, pass, 1234, 12345 or just plain blank as passwords. Some of the manufacturers are getting a clue and requiring a password be created on first login in the newer firmware, but most of these bozos are just putting in the old factory default again.

Glad I work for one of the few security companies that doesn't have its head up its collective ass. I'd really hate working for one of the Big Three.

where is the google mashup?

[Anonymous Coward]

In 2011 I would expect to see a mashup showing a map with all the locations of the IP addresses that allows you to click and view

Re:Nice one

[cusco]

Does it in any way effect the operation of the camera or of the security system attached to it?

Actually it does. Most cameras have a limit of how many simultaneous connections are allowed. Exceed that limit and the owner might have to reboot the camera in order to access their own video feed. Bad news if that camera's looking at the door of your emergency room or your unmanned warehouse half a continent away.

Re:tons of cams are available.

[hedwards]

Because then they can figure out ways of obscuring themselves more effectively. Which is the problem, additionally you frequently run into dome cameras where you're not sure where exactly they're pointed. With practice you can see very quickly, but it's a bit of a risk.