How to protect your smart doorbell from being hacked with video doorbell security

Undoubtedly beneficial, being able to see who is at your door from your phone screen, but how can you prevent them from allowing unauthorized visitors onto your home’s Wi-Fi network?

Smart doorbells are equipped with cameras and are linked to an app on your phone. You receive a notification on your phone when the doorbell rings, allowing you to view and communicate with anyone is at your door.

How smart video doorbells get hacked

A strong password is essential, just like with the majority of internet-connected gadgets. A hacker will be able to access your device and network more easily the easier your password is to crack. Weak default passwords on doorbells, like “123456” or “000000,” can be cracked in a matter of seconds by a hacker employing sophisticated password spamming software. Even worse, not all of them demand that you modify your password. Make the username and password change yourself instead of waiting for a reminder.

Smart gadgets transmit data packets to centers, some of which are located around the world, using their internet connection. Although this is usual, we anticipate the data to be encrypted. Data that has been encrypted has been scrambled, so whoever manages to intercept it on its path might as well be reading Sanskrit because it won’t make sense. Your device password and even your Wi-Fi password may be visible to hackers who intercept the data if it is sending it without encryption.

Additionally, there is a chance of a total device takeover. As dangerous as it may sound, a hacker would take complete control of your doorbell. The doorbell’s loudness could be altered and rung at any hours of the night by hackers. Although installing malware on the doorbell could grant those same hackers unrestricted access to your home network and possibly other connected devices, this is more naughty than hazardous.

Some people may find it annoying when their doorbell rings all night long, but for older or fragile persons, it may be terrifying. Additionally, they will have access to your records and perhaps the times the residence was vacant.

A compromised smart doorbell can provide access to your whole network, just like how a doorbell is tied to your home’s door. Consider the number of connected devices you have in your home and the types of personal information they include. TVs, laptops, and cell phones are all at risk if a hacker gains access to your home network through a weak doorbell.

How to prevent hackers from accessing your smart doorbell

Some smart doorbells have such severe security flaws that nothing short of a complete redesign will be able to bring them up to par, but you can take steps to protect your device from other risks.

Altering the password

There isn’t a smart device in your house whose password you shouldn’t update. Almost usually, the default one will be fragile and vulnerable to hacking. The passwords you create for yourself will be the most secure if they combine three random words.

Keep it current

Updates to software typically increase security rather than bring in new features. If you can, enable auto-update; if not, check frequently for updates. Check the associated apps on your phone for updates as well, not just the device itself.

Put two-factor authentication to use.

A hacker must overcome each successive layer of security, and two-factor authentication is a significant one. When you attempt to log in, a second, one-time-use password is supplied to you. Typically, it is delivered to your phone so that only you can access it; once it has been used, you will need to obtain a new one the following time.

Switch it off

Although it may sound sarcastic, we’re serious. Turn off any devices you have purchased if you believe they are insecure. Continuing to use a hackable doorbell is not really worth the risk. You can use smart doorbells with confidence, knowing that our reviews indicate if we discovered any serious security problems.

Delete your data and recordings.

Delete any recordings made by your doorbell that you don’t need, as well as any that are stored on cloud servers by doorbells that require further subscriptions. Make sure to reset the camera to factory settings if you ever decide to get rid of it to make sure all of your personal data is erased.

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