Cyber Security Warning: CCTV Hacked – You Could Be the Next Victim
By Techcom Engineering Pte. Ltd.
Published: August 15, 2025 at 4:55 PM
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Cyber Security Alert: CCTV Camera Hacked — you might never know until it’s too late. In Singapore, more than 50,000 home CCTV cameras have been compromised, with private images leaked on platforms like Discord. From baby monitors to video doorbells, every connected CCTV camera in your home can be a hacker’s doorway.
Smart devices make life easier — but they also make homes more vulnerable to CCTV hacking. Almost every household now has at least one CCTV camera, whether it’s a traditional wired system, a Wi-Fi baby monitor, a smart video doorbell, or even a robot vacuum with a built-in lens. Once connected to the internet, these devices become targets, making cyber security for CCTV more critical than ever.
To prove how real the threat is, the Talking Point team ran an experiment — hiring a professional cybersecurity researcher to hack into home CCTV cameras in Singapore. The results were eye-opening.
In a Talking Point episode, producers teamed up with cybersecurity expert Steve Kerrison to test how easily home CCTV cameras could be compromised. You can watch the full Talking Point investigation here.
The Experiment: Can a Hacker Really Access Your Home Camera?
The Talking Point crew purchased two different smart cameras — one from a reputable physical store and another from a budget online marketplace — and installed them in the homes of two hosts.
Cybersecurity researcher Steve Kerrison, with over seven years in information security, was given one mission: gain access to these cameras without the hosts’ knowledge.
The challenge? The hosts knew he might try to hack their devices — but they didn’t know when or how.
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Case 1: The Phishing Trap
The first host’s CCTV camera was a popular, well-known brand trusted by thousands of households. But instead of breaking into the camera’s firmware or cracking its security system, Steve — the cybersecurity expert — went after something far easier to exploit: the human using it.
It started with a carefully crafted phishing email. The host received what looked like a legitimate message from the camera manufacturer, warning about a “critical firmware update” that needed to be installed immediately to keep the device secure. The email even included the company’s logo, proper branding, and a link to what seemed like the official login page.
Here’s how the CCTV camera hack unfolded step-by-step:
1. The Click – Trusting the email, the host clicked the link, convinced it was from the real manufacturer.
2. The Fake Login Page – The website looked identical to the genuine camera app’s login portal. Without suspecting a thing, the host entered their username and password.
3.The Two-Factor Trap – As part of the process, the fake site asked for a PIN code, which was actually sent by the real two-factor authentication system of the manufacturer.
4. Full Access Granted – By handing over this PIN, the host unknowingly gave Steve complete access to their actual account, allowing him to watch the live feed from their CCTV camera in real time.
This attack wasn’t about breaking into the CCTV camera’s hardware or software — it was about tricking the person into handing over the keys. In cybersecurity, this is called a phishing attack. It proves that sometimes the easiest way to get a CCTV camera hacked is to exploit human trust, not just technology.
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Case 2: Exploiting Default Settings
The second host’s CCTV camera hacked was a budget model costing just $37, purchased from an online marketplace. While it seemed like a good bargain, the hidden cost came in the form of poor built-in security.
Here’s the problem: during installation, the camera began broadcasting critical setup information over Wi-Fi before any security settings — like passwords or encryption — were applied. This meant anyone nearby could “listen in” to the installation process and grab the data needed to take control.
From less than 100 meters away, Steve intercepted the live setup process and managed to:
1. Add Himself as an Authorized User – This gave him the same level of access as the owner.
2. Set Up Motion Alerts for Himself – He configured the system so that every time the camera detected movement, it automatically sent him an email with a snapshot.
The host had no idea their CCTV camera hacked was quietly sending images to someone else every time they walked past it. Steve received a fresh image straight to his inbox — without ever needing to touch the camera physically or enter the home.
This case proves that cheap models can lead to a CCTV camera hacked scenario not just because of weak passwords, but because some devices have serious flaws right out of the box. If security isn’t enabled during setup, attackers can slip in and take control before you’ve even finished installing it.
Why a Hacked CCTV Camera is a Bigger Risk Than You Think
When people hear “camera hacked,” they usually imagine someone spying on them — but the real danger goes far beyond voyeurism.
A compromised CCTV camera can allow cybercriminals to:
• Track your daily routines – Perfect for planning burglaries.
• Identify valuables – Pinpointing items worth stealing.
• Access your Wi-Fi credentials – Stored inside the camera.
• Control other connected devices – Including smart locks and alarms.
• Record sensitive information – Even capturing keystrokes if the camera sees your hands at a keyboard.
For businesses, hacked cameras can also expose sensitive documents, employee activities, and customer interactions.
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Why Cheap Cameras Are Often More Vulnerable
Ultra-cheap online cameras can be tempting, but they often come with serious cybersecurity flaws:
• Weak or hard-coded default passwords.
• Outdated firmware with known vulnerabilities.
• Lack of regular security updates.
• Unencrypted video streams that can be intercepted.
When your cyber security CCTV camera is hacked, the attacker doesn’t care whether you paid $37 or $370 — but cheaper devices often make their job much easier.
How to Protect Your Smart Cameras from Hackers
From this investigation, six key security steps stand out for anyone who wants to avoid having their CCTV camera hacked:
1. Change default passwords immediately – Most CCTV cameras and smart devices come with a factory-set username and password like “admin” or “12345.” Hackers know these defaults and often try them first. Replace them with a strong, unique password that you don’t use anywhere else. The longer and more random, the better — it’s one of the simplest ways to prevent your CCTV camera from being hacked.
2. Only update through official apps or websites – If you get an email claiming your CCTV camera needs an urgent update, don’t click the link. Phishing scams often mimic real companies to trick you into handing over login details. Always update from the manufacturer’s official app or website.
3. Buy from trusted brands – A cheap camera might save money upfront, but if it’s from an unknown or unreliable brand, it may never get security updates. Established brands with a proven record of patching vulnerabilities greatly reduce your risk of getting your CCTV camera hacked.
4. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) – This adds an extra security step when logging in, such as a code sent to your phone. However, set it up only through the manufacturer’s official app or website — fake 2FA requests are a common hacker trick.
5. Regularly check for firmware updates – Firmware is the internal software that runs your CCTV camera. Updates often fix known security holes. Check monthly for updates and install them promptly to close any gaps hackers might exploit.
6. Secure your home network – Your Wi-Fi is the gateway to all connected devices. Use the strongest encryption available (WPA3 if possible) and a strong, unique Wi-Fi password to make it harder for outsiders to get in.
Bonus tip: Keep IoT devices like CCTV cameras on a separate “guest” Wi-Fi network. This way, if one gadget is compromised, hackers can’t easily access your main devices like laptops, phones, or work computers.
This case shows that it doesn’t matter if you own a $37 budget model or a high-end system — anyone can have their CCTV camera hacked if they overlook basic security steps. Cybercriminals can exploit weak passwords, fake update links, or even unsecured setup processes to gain access to your devices. The good news is that with strong passwords, official updates, two-factor authentication, and a secure network, you can make your cameras far harder to break into.
Cyber Security CCTV Camera Hacked – Real Incidents in Singapore
The Talking Point experiment wasn’t just a staged test. Real incidents have shown how serious this threat is.
2020 – Over 50,000 hacked home camera recordings in Singapore were leaked online.
2022 – Reports surfaced of strangers speaking to children through hacked baby monitors.
2023 – Multiple businesses reported hackers disabling security cameras during break-ins.
These incidents prove that the “it won’t happen to me” mindset is dangerous.
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Why You Could Be the Next Victim
Hackers aren’t just targeting celebrities or wealthy business owners. In reality, anyone with an internet-connected camera is a potential target. Cybercriminals don’t care about your social status — they care about easy opportunities. And in most cases, any CCTV camera with weak security can be hacked if it’s not properly protected.
You could be the next victim of having your CCTV camera hacked if:
1. Your camera still uses its factory default password – Many cameras come with generic logins like “admin” or “12345,” which hackers can guess in seconds.
2. You’ve ignored firmware updates – Outdated software often has known security flaws that cybercriminals actively exploit.
You’ve clicked suspicious links related to your device – Phishing emails or fake “update” notifications can trick you into handing over your login credentials.
3. You use ultra-cheap cameras without proper encryption – Some budget models lack basic protections, making it much easier for hackers to intercept your data.
The bottom line? It doesn’t matter if your camera is expensive or budget-friendly — if you neglect security, you’re leaving the digital door wide open.
Final Thoughts: Security is a Habit, Not a Purchase
The Talking Point experiment revealed something alarming — hacking a home CCTV camera isn’t always the work of a genius programmer hunched over lines of code. In some cases, it can be as simple as sending a believable phishing email and tricking the owner into clicking a malicious link. Once that happens, attackers can slip past your defenses and gain access to your camera feed.
Smart devices like home CCTV cameras, smart locks, and voice assistants make life easier, but every device connected to the internet is also a doorway — and cybercriminals are always looking for an unlocked one. The encouraging news is that protecting yourself doesn’t require you to be a tech expert; it just requires consistent, basic cyber hygiene.
Take five minutes today to:
1. Check your camera passwords – Avoid using default passwords or simple combinations like “123456” or your birth date. Use strong, unique passwords for each device.
2. Update your firmware – Manufacturers often release updates to patch security flaws. If you skip them, you leave the door open for known attacks.
3. Verify your update sources – Only download updates from official manufacturer websites or apps to avoid installing malicious software disguised as legitimate updates.
These small, consistent steps can go a long way in preventing a major invasion of your privacy. In cybersecurity, the simplest habits often provide the strongest protection.
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We understand that in today’s connected world, a camera is not just a piece of hardware — it’s part of your digital security network. That’s why our comprehensive solutions are built with safety, reliability, and long-term protection in mind:
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Your security is too important to leave to chance. A hacked camera doesn’t just compromise your privacy — it can expose your home or business to real risks.
Take proactive steps now. Contact us for a free consultation, and let us help you protect your privacy, safety, and peace of mind.
