Network Camera Security: Bypassing Your Own System

TL;DR

You likely can’t completely bypass your own networked camera if it’s properly secured, but you can test its security to find weaknesses. This guide shows how to check for common vulnerabilities like weak passwords, outdated firmware, and open ports. We’ll cover basic checks anyone can do, and some more technical tests.

Checking Your Camera Security

1. Change the Default Password: This is the most important step! Many cameras come with easy-to-guess default passwords (like ‘admin’, ‘123456’). If you haven’t changed it, someone on your network or even remotely could access your camera feed.
   • Find the camera’s web interface. This is usually done by typing its IP address into a web browser.
   • Look for settings related to ‘User Accounts’, ‘Administration’, or ‘Security’.
   • Create a strong, unique password (at least 12 characters with a mix of letters, numbers and symbols).
2. Update the Firmware: Manufacturers regularly release firmware updates that fix security bugs. Outdated firmware is a major vulnerability.
   • Again, access the camera’s web interface.
   • Look for a ‘Firmware Update’ or ‘System Update’ section.
   • Check if there are any available updates and install them.
3. Port Scanning: Cameras often use specific network ports to communicate. A port scan can reveal which ports are open, potentially indicating vulnerabilities.
   • You’ll need a tool like Nmap (available for Windows, macOS and Linux).
   • Open a terminal or command prompt and run a scan against your camera’s IP address. For example:

     nmap -p 1-65535 <camera_ip_address>

   • Look for open ports that aren’t essential. Common camera ports include 80 (HTTP), 443 (HTTPS), and potentially others depending on the model. Unexpected open ports could be a sign of misconfiguration or malware.
4. Check UPnP Settings: Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) can automatically open ports on your router, which is convenient but also risky if not managed carefully.
   • Log in to your router’s web interface.
   • Look for a section called ‘UPnP’, ‘Port Forwarding’ or similar.
   • See if your camera has automatically opened any ports. If so, consider disabling UPnP or manually managing the port forwarding rules.
5. Review Camera Settings: Carefully examine all settings in the camera’s web interface.
   • Disable features you don’t need (e.g., remote access if you only use local viewing).
   • Enable encryption (HTTPS) for secure communication.
   • Check privacy settings to ensure your feed isn’t publicly accessible.
6. Test Remote Access: If you’ve enabled remote access, test it from a different network (e.g., using a mobile phone on 4G/5G).
   • Ensure the connection is secure and requires authentication.
   • Look for any signs of unauthorized access or unusual activity.

More Advanced Testing (Requires Technical Knowledge)

1. Vulnerability Scanners: Tools like Nessus can identify known vulnerabilities in your camera’s firmware and software.
2. Packet Analysis: Use Wireshark to capture network traffic and analyze the communication between your camera and other devices. This can reveal unencrypted data or suspicious patterns.

Important Considerations

• Manufacturer Support: Check if the manufacturer provides regular security updates for your camera model. If not, consider replacing it with a more secure option.
• Network Segmentation: Isolate your cameras on a separate network segment (e.g., using a VLAN) to limit potential damage in case of compromise.