Smart home cameras have become a necessity. You already know that it can help you monitor what’s happening indoors and outdoors even when you’re not at home.
But while these cameras are undoubtedly convenient, they also come with privacy risks. A new study highlights that outdoor security camera apps are some of the biggest collectors of user data.
This includes sensitive personal information such as email addresses, phone numbers, payment details, and precise location information.
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How smart home cameras monitor you
According to Research conducted by SurfsharkOutdoor security camera apps are some of the most criminal when it comes to collecting user data. These apps collect an average of 12 data points, including sensitive information such as email addresses, phone numbers, payment information, and precise location information. This is 50% more than what other smart home devices typically collect. To make matters worse, these apps often connect up to seven data points directly to your identity.
Indoor surveillance camera apps use slightly less data, but still raise privacy concerns. They collect an average of nine data points, with six typically tied to a user’s identity. Commonly collected data includes email address, phone number, user ID, device ID, purchase history, and voice data. While this information helps improve the user experience, it also increases the risk of privacy violations.
One of the biggest concerns with both outdoor and indoor security camera apps is the type of data they collect. Many of these apps collect personal information such as name, email, phone number, and address. Some apps, such as Arlo, Deep Sentinel, and D-Link, also capture data about your contacts that you can access outside of the app. This data is not actually required for the app to function.
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Which apps collect the most data?
Among the apps that collect the most data, Deep Sentinel and Lorex stand out for outdoor security cameras, each collecting 18 out of 32 data points. Indoor camera leader Nest Labs collects 17 data points, while Ring and Arlo each collect 15 data points.
The lack of regulations and standards for smart home devices creates significant privacy risks. Without clear guidelines, users become vulnerable to data breaches, cyberattacks, and even physical harm. Some apps track users for targeted advertising or share data with third parties or data brokers. While outdoor security cameras typically avoid tracking, indoor cameras like Nooie and Canary Connect involve tracking users, further complicating privacy issues.
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9 ways to protect yourself from risks associated with smart home cameras
1. Limit data sharing. Look for a smart home camera app that gives you control over the data you share. Many apps have settings that disable certain data collection features, such as location tracking and audio recording. Customizing these settings can significantly reduce the risk of your personal information being compromised.
2. Review and update your privacy settings regularly. Smart home cameras often receive software updates that can change privacy settings. It’s important to regularly check your app’s privacy settings to make sure they match your preferences. Disable non-essential features, such as data sharing with third-party apps and advertisers.
3. Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA). Make sure your camera app and associated accounts are protected with strong, unique passwords. Please consider using . password manager Generate and save complex passwords.
4. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) Where possible: This provides an extra layer of security in case your account information is compromised.
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5. Pay attention to camera placement. If your camera is collecting sensitive data, such as audio or images of people inside your home, be careful where you place it. Avoid installing cameras in private areas such as bedrooms and bathrooms. This reduces the amount of potentially sensitive data that the camera can capture.
6. Consider using local storage instead of cloud services: Some cameras offer local storage options, where footage is saved directly to your device, such as your hard drive or SD card, rather than to the cloud. This makes your data more secure as it is no longer accessible over the internet and is less likely to be exposed in the event of a data breach.
7. Use a VPN. Use a VPN to encrypt your internet connection and protect the data sent from your smart home devices. This is an easy and powerful way to add an extra layer of protection to your network. using VPN (virtual private network) service Increase your privacy by encrypting your internet traffic, making it harder for hackers and third parties to intercept your data, especially on public Wi-Fi. A VPN masks your IP address, obscuring your location and online activity. While a VPN won’t directly prevent phishing emails, it will reduce the exposure of your browsing habits to trackers who can use this data maliciously. A VPN allows you to securely access your email account from anywhere, even in regions with restrictive internet policies. For the best VPN software, read my expert review of the best VPNs to browse the web privately. Windows, Mac, Android, iOS devices
8. Review the Privacy Policy regularly. Stay informed about how your devices and apps collect, store, and share data. Please be sure to review any changes to our Privacy Policy that may affect your information.
9. Please consider home security system With enhanced physical security featuresHowever, please note that like any smart device, a variety of user data is collected, including personal information, device data, and location tracking. Here are some tips for adjusting settings within most security system apps to minimize privacy risks.
- Disable location tracking. Security companies may use location data for features such as geofencing, which triggers actions based on distance to your home. If you’re concerned about privacy, you can disable location tracking in the app to prevent the system from collecting this data.
- Limit video storage: Many security company cameras can store video footage in the cloud, but you can adjust app settings to limit how long the footage is stored or automatically delete it after a certain period of time.
- Adjust device permissions. Review and adjust permissions on devices like cameras and smart locks to limit data collection. For example, disable audio recording if you don’t have a security need.
- Control third-party data sharing. Security companies may share data with third parties, so it’s important to review and disable settings that allow data to be shared across your security system’s ecosystem.
By actively managing these settings and using a VPN, you can significantly reduce your exposure to potential privacy risks associated with smart home systems. check out My pick for the best security system.
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Cart important points
The rapid rise of IoT technology has changed the way we live and interact. But without the right rules in place, companies may prioritize profits over user safety. This can create security holes and weaknesses in your device. Many smart home cameras collect more data than they actually need, and it’s not clear what they’re doing with it. It may be sold to third-party companies or used to target advertising.
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