Everything You Need to Know About Baby Monitor Hacking
Getting a baby monitor can bring a great and welcome difference in a mother’s nursing experience.It is very healthy when one doesn’t have to panic all the time, wondering how the child they left asleep is doing, especially if they are busy downstairs or when they leave the house for short errands.
Fully equipped monitors can give the user all-round updates, including the child’s voice and mood, movements, and sleeping position.
Some can even play recorded voice or music to the young one and let the mother sing to the baby remotely.
By providing such benefits, these devices eventually become indispensable to the user.
Also, if you were to observe American Academy Pediatrics’ warning that sharing beds with babies can raise the risk of sleep-related infant deaths, a baby monitor would become handy when a young one has his or her own room.
But over reliance on Baby monitors has also brought with it certain security concerns. Prime among these is the threat of baby monitor hacking.
The fear over hackers taking over the control of baby monitors isn’t irrational. Families in the past have reported bizarre sounds coming out of baby monitor speakers and scaring kids.
In one instance, a woman noticed her baby’s camera tracing her movements around the room “while throwing insults at her”.
In a public statement, the New York’s Department of Consumer Affairs warned parents that some baby monitors have security loopholes that hackers could use to access in-house networks and cause incidents like the ones in these reports.
What is Hacking?
In computing, hacking is an act where a person intentionally uses unauthorized means to access electronically transmitted communication.
Hacking tools can range from simple radio wave scanners to the more advanced computer programs. The skills required to hack different devices also vary.
Generally, the simpler the technology of a communication device is, the easier it is to hack.
Take AM and FM baby monitors for example. They do not possess the security features that are present in many internet-based gadgets.
For only a few dollars, one can buy and use a radio scanner even when they have low technical know-how.
This is not only limited to home devices.
Even criminals frequently hack into police communications systems to keep tabs of officers and know what they are up to.
Who Would Want to Pry on Your Baby?
You are not a celebrity.
You are not a politician.
You also have nothing strange going on in your house.
So who would want your baby monitor hacked and why?
This question usually comes up when debates concerning privacy issues arise. But there are many reasons why a secure baby monitor matters.
To begin with, unsecured baby monitors can provide a means for someone to cause havoc and confusion in your household.
Some people enjoy seeing others panic. A hacker may, for instance, scare your kids or talk to them without your permission.
In addition, there are curious people who would just like to know what is going on in other people’s lives.
They get literally everything from you when they have access to your baby monitor.
This can be quite scary, especially when you were holding a sensitive conversation with your partner and you suspect that someone else has listened to it.
But there are even bigger concerns: burglars have used baby monitors before to successfully evade homeowners and execute theft.
Ironically, some families have been able to stop thieves or catch them after successfully receiving tip-offs from their baby monitors.
In addition, there is fear that pedophiles and child traffickers could take advantage of these gadgets to track their victims.
Another concern is over censorship.
In a world where people are becoming less inclined to the idea of government censorship, a less secure baby monitor could be telling the authorities more about you than you think. And if you do have some “skeletons in your closet”, blackmailers may use that opportunity to take advantage of you.
Exaggerated Fear
Although it is true that unsecured baby monitors pose certain threats to household security, it is also fair to say that many people, especially in the media, tend to exaggerate this fear.
All devices that can transmit or receive communication from external gadgets face the threat of hacking. These include mobile phones, microwave, toys, CCTV cameras, and doorbells among others.
If you have one or more of these and you haven’t had to deal with hackers before, then the possibility that someone will penetrate your privacy using the baby monitor is just as low.
Some experts have also argued that, even if a stranger was to hack into your baby monitor with the intent of stealing or extracting certain information from you, the possibility of a false positive is high, especially in a large flat or estate where many people are using baby monitors.
Moreover, spying is time consuming, tedious, and can be costly. Few people would therefore be willing to hack your system just for fun. It is also true that high profile people such as celebrities and politicians face higher threats of hacking than the common person.
Even with that said, your security is still important. With simple precautions, you and your family can easily keep hackers away.
How to Make Baby Monitor Resistant to Hacking
If you feel like you need to protect your family from eavesdroppers, here are a few things that you can do to make your household communication gadgets and baby monitors more resistant to hacking:
Buy Password-Protected Baby Monitors
Many parents chose AM and FM baby monitors because they are cheaper than their internet-based counterparts are. These baby monitors are cheap because the technology that supports them is rather simple.
It’s not that they are bad. In fact, they would still be suitable in situations and places where the threat of hacking is low.
However, when privacy is a top priority, AM and FM gadgets wouldn’t be the best option of a baby-monitoring device.
They are not secured and, unless you have installed special radio wave blockers on your walls to prevent communications from spilling to the outside, anybody with enough patience and the right radio wave scanner can intercept conversations and other forms of communications inside your home.
The advanced, more secure choices are Bluetooth and internet enabled gadgets, since they tend to be more secure.
But you have to ensure that any Bluetooth or Wi-Fi enabled gadgets that you use have password protection feature to block out unauthorized devices from accessing them.
Many people live under the false assumption that their devices are safe even when they don’t take the necessary steps to tweak here and there.
Anybody, for example, can easily search for and find the default password that comes with a particular brand of baby monitor as this information is available online.
The first step that you should take after opening a brand new baby monitor is to replace the default password with your own.
Vulnerability in Bluetooth baby monitors is generally highest during the paring process. To be safe, identify the addresses of your camera, receiver device, speaker and any other gadget that you are pairing your baby monitor with to ensure that it only connects with correct devices only.
In addition, set your Bluetooth to be visible to paired devices to paired devices only.
For wifi connections, buy modern baby monitors and gadgets that have stronger encryption. A WPA or WPA2 encryption is enough to shield you from many threats.
In addition, set a stronger password. The password should not contain things that somebody can easily guess, like your name or the baby’s date of birth, as these are the most common things that hackers try out when attempting to crack passwords.
Other general precautions include warning family members against revealing personal information to outsiders, using a strong antivirus in your computer and mobile devices, and changing your passwords occasionally.
Other things to Consider when buying baby Monitors
Compatibility is ideal when buying baby monitors. Some people spend on these devices only to find that they are not compatible with their phones or network systems. It is important to talk to an expert to assess your needs before buying one.
Some websites provide the opportunity for users to chat with experts and ask them questions about baby monitors. These can really help, especially when you need to ask questions to do with how to secure your device.
A qualitative baby monitor also offers consistency and can serve you for long. People who have used various brands of baby monitors can be instrumental in this regard. Take time to look at various online baby monitor reviews to find what is best for you.
A secure, compatible, reliable and long-lasting baby monitor is what you need to make your nursing experience worthwhile.
At the bottom of this article, we are recommending some related products to fulfill your collection
A. Best Sellers in Digital Baby Monitors
#1 Amazon Best-selling
- Use your smartphone to see and hear your baby no matter where you are. Safety 1st's free app allows you to adjust sound and motion sensitivity levels, set custom alerts, and much more
- The camera provides crystal-clear 720p HD video with minimal buffering and a 130-degree wide-angle view
- A smart audio unit in the camera is sound and motion activated and provides two-way talk with a 12-hour battery life. Up to 15 feet infrared ultra-clear night vision
#2 Amazon Best-selling
- ✅ MONITOR FROM ANYWHERE - Our video infant monitor allows you to check on your little one, whether you're at work or just in the kitchen. Simply connect to the Hubble app on your smartphone.
- ✅ CRISP & CLEAR DISPLAY - View a real-time video feed of your little one's room on the parent unit's 4.3" color screen. Its infrared night vision feature gives you a clear video feed at night time.
- ✅ STAY ON TOP OF BABY'S HEALTH - The Hubble Baby Smart Sleep Assistant keeps track of your baby's hours of sleep, as well as the number of feeding times, diaper changes, and pumping sessions.
#3 Amazon Best-selling
- ✪ 360 ° MOTION TRACKING: Automatically senses and tracks the action in your home in full 360°. Nooie Cam 360 has 101° field of view -- rotates 355° horizontally and 94° vertically. Pan and tilt easily with the Nooie App.
- ✪ 1080P HD + SUPERIOR NIGHT VISION: 1080P HD camera lens and two 940nm infrared LEDs. Night vision up to 32ft (10m) in pitch-black. Optional status light.
- ✪ STYLISH, INTUITIVE, EASY SET UP: Camera and App are easy to install, simple to control, and a breeze to maintain. Compatible with 2.4GHz WiFI network. Download app from App Store or Google Play. Works with Alexa.
#4 Amazon Best-selling
- 【1080P HD Pet Camera】With 1080P HD resolution, wansview home camera displays a crystal clear smooth live video, you can keep an eye on your home anytime anywhere. Camera works with 2.4G WiFi(5G is not supported)
- 【Two-way Audio & Works with Alexa】Equipped with a built-in microphone & speaker that allows you to talk and listen to your baby. Works with Alexa, ask Alexa to show your baby room, or anywhere else you have your wansview baby camera
- 【Smart Pan/Tilt/Zoom & Crystal Night Vision】Wansview Pet Camera allows you to keep track of what you love most. Cover every angle with 350° pan, 90° tilt, 110° field of view . The non-visible infrared light doesn't emit a red glow, which lets your baby rest peacefully. Status lights can be turned off from the app
#5 Amazon Best-selling
- 2020 Award Winner: Babylist Best Baby Monitors Of 2020 *(Awarded On January 8, 2020)
- Perfect Size & Weight Ratio - No Large Batteries To Power Energy-Hungry Large Screens. The Dxr-8 Is Light-Weight And Portable, Designed For True Mobility Around The House. 10-Hr Battery Life On Power-Saving Mode, 6-Hr With Screen On
- Full Viewing Control - The Dxr-8 Is A Baby Monitor With Camera Features Such As Pan/Tilt/Digital Zoom And Interchangeable Lens. Fit The Zoom Lens To See Even Closer, Or Zoom Out With The Wide Angle Lens. Expandable Up To 4 Cameras
B. Best Sellers in Video Baby Monitors
#1 Amazon Best-selling
- Large LCD Display & Safe Wireless Technology: This video baby monitor come with a 3.2" LCD display. Application of frequency hopping and digital encryption technology ensures secure and reliable connection.
- REMOTE PAN TILT and ZOOM &3.2" LCD DISPLAY: Remote control camera rotate 355° in horizontal and 120° vertical ensuring you always have a clear view of your baby from any angle.
- SMART FEATURES:The crystal clear two-way audio feature allows conversation both ends as clear as if you were in the same room with your little one. Room temperature monitor and alert, night vision, lullaby, sound level LED indicator, audio only mode.
#2 Amazon Best-selling
- High quality color screen: This unique baby monitor features a High Resolution Display with 2x zoom magnification for comprehensive coverage. The 2.4” screen can deliver streaming live view whenever you check in.
- High definition night vision & temperature monitoring: This baby monitor with camera has 8 infrared LED Lights and could constantly monitor babies’ activities. Other built-in features include automatic night vision and temperature monitoring.
- Two way talking & long transmission range: The video monitor covers a transmission range of up to 960 feet.You could play 4 soothing lullaby songs or use the two-way talk back intercom function to comfort your babies.
#3 Amazon Best-selling
- 3.5 Inch Large Display & 2.4GHz Wireless Digital Transmission: Provides high definition and stable streaming, secure interference-free connection and crystal clear digital vision & sound. Our baby monitor provides you with clear real-time video and audio of your unattended baby.
- Long Distance Transmission & Infrared Night Vision: Long distance max to 960ft in empty area. It enables you to take the screen to upstairs/downstairs, bedroom, kitchen, garden or yard. Built-in 4 IR LED lights for night vision with infrared light. You can see your baby’s face and details clearly even in darkness. Day and night, never miss a moment to get along with your baby.
- Two Way Talk Communication & Temperature Monitoring: This video baby monitor has advanced microphone and speaker for clear two-way audio conversations. Allows you to talk back promptly or play lullabies to soothe baby when she is crying. And it can monitor the room temperature of your baby all day long. Remote in-room temperature display lets you know your baby is comfortable.
#4 Amazon Best-selling
- ★【Color LCD Screen& Plug and Play】4.3” Large LCD display with100% digital technology for privacy and security,and can allow you to monitor the baby’s activities in real time without any delay.It is very easy to operate,just plug and play,No WIFI/Internet/APP setup required.
- ★【Expandable to 4 Cameras】Baby camera is plug and play, no set up required. One parent unit monitor can be paired with 4 child unit cameras,You could take care all of your kids with one monitor(Additional camera sold separately)
- ★【2x Digital Zoom】allows you view of your baby without need to change the lens,You can zoom to 2x remotely using the monitor
#5 Amazon Best-selling
- 2020 Award Winner: Babylist Best Baby Monitors Of 2020 *(Awarded On January 8, 2020)
- Perfect Size & Weight Ratio - No Large Batteries To Power Energy-Hungry Large Screens. The Dxr-8 Is Light-Weight And Portable, Designed For True Mobility Around The House. 10-Hr Battery Life On Power-Saving Mode, 6-Hr With Screen On
- Full Viewing Control - The Dxr-8 Is A Baby Monitor With Camera Features Such As Pan/Tilt/Digital Zoom And Interchangeable Lens. Fit The Zoom Lens To See Even Closer, Or Zoom Out With The Wide Angle Lens. Expandable Up To 4 Cameras
C. Best Sellers in Wi-Fi Baby Monitors
#1 Amazon Best-selling
- 1920 X 1080 Resolution At Up To 20 Fps
- IR Illumination Up To 40
- Wi-Fi Connectivity
#2 Amazon Best-selling
- Crisp & Clear Real-Time Images: Large 5” 720P handheld display is 3 times more detailed than previous baby monitors; it boasts full color by day and greyscale infrared images at night to see all the delicate movements of your little one clearly
- Effortless Monitoring: LED noise indicators and an external thermostat keep you accurately updated on your baby’s wellbeing; set to the highest to alert even the heaviest sleeper or set to low volume to hear only loud noises with 7 volume levels
- Always Feel Connected: Turn on the VAVA monitor in a snap second to instantly check what’s happening when your baby murmurs; features 2X, 4X zoom and an auto-pilot panoramic mode to scan your baby’s nursery, no waiting around for any app or setup
#3 Amazon Best-selling
- [ 2 WAY AUDIO ANTI NOISE ]-Victure video baby monitor is built-in 48dB microphone & speaker and anti-noise technology. The fluent sound allows you to comfort your baby/pet/nanny. You can communicate with your baby, pet or the elder clearly whenever you want.
- [ SMART MOTION DETECTION ]-When Victure wifi baby camera detects moving and abnormity, notifications will be sent to your phone immediately, instant alarm videos will be taken and stored in cloud or SD card. Ensure the security of your house.
- [ 1080P CLEAR NIGHT VISION ]-This baby home security camera with 120°wide-angle lens,1920×1080P and 8 invisible infrared LEDs lets you see everything clearly even in the dark without disturbance.
#4 Amazon Best-selling
- 【Advanced 1080P FHD Night Vision】- Built-in 850nm IR LEDs, this home security camera ensure the range of night vision reach to 30 feet. With 1920*1080P video quality, you can not only view clearly in day, but also at night through this baby monitor. And it will switch automatically during the day and night via the light. You can 24/7 keep an eye on your baby
- 【Clear Two-Way Audio with 2 Call Modes】- Built-in microphone and speaker with anti-noise technology, you can talk with your baby/loved ones clearly and remotely as you never leave each other. There are 2 call modes available--intercom mode & hand-free mode. Especially in hand -free mode, you can talk fluently as in the phone call
- 【Smart Motion Detection/Tracking】- Once the motion is detected, the alert will be triggered and APP will send the notification to your phone. The wifi indoor camera will lock the moving target and keep auto tracking. You will not lose the important moments and details in the whole activity
#5 Amazon Best-selling
- 2.4" High Quality LCD Display & 2.4GHz Wireless Digital Transmission: Adopted a 2.4 inch LCD screen and connected to the baby camera via enhanced 2.4GHz wireless technology, stable and non-interference, offers you a clearer real-time video and audio for the unattended baby.
- Infrared Night Vision & Temperature Monitoring: Provided with clear infrared night vision, the baby monitor can vividly display the state of baby's sleeping even after turning off the light. And room temperature monitoring can let you adjust a comfortable temperature of living environment for your baby in time.
- Two Way Talk & Long Range Support: Equipped with the advanced and high-sensitivity microphone and speaker for clear two-way audio conversations, allowing you to talk back promptly or play lullabies to soothe baby when the baby is crying. Long distance max to 300m/1000ft in the open area enables you to move the screen to upstairs/downstairs, bedroom, kitchen, yard and so on.
D. Best Sellers in Audio Baby Monitors
#1 Amazon Best-selling
- CLEAR AUDIO AND LONG RANGE - DECT 6.0 technology provides clear audio transmission, eliminating annoying background noise while allowing you to move from room to room. Up to 1,000 feet of range lets you stay connected to your baby from another room
- 5-LEVEL SOUND INDICATOR AND 2-WAY TALK-BACK INTERCOM - LEDs on the parent unit indicate the level of sound in your baby's room so you can visually monitor the noise level. The built-in intercom on the parent unit lets you talk to your baby from any room
- NIGHT LIGHT ON THE BABY UNIT - A soothing light on the baby unit gently illuminates a dark nursery. Both the parent unit(s) and baby unit allow you to turn on or off the nighlight on the baby unit
#2 Amazon Best-selling
- Insert alkaline batteries (sold separately) into the parent unit and it will stay on while you move it to a new room. For extended monitoring, make sure the parent unit is plugged into AC power
- DECT 6.0 provides crystal clear transmission, eliminating the annoying white noise you hear from analog monitors
- 5-level sound indicator - graphic bars on the parent unit indicate the level of sound in your baby's room so you can visually monitor the noise level with the unit muted
#3 Amazon Best-selling
- CLEAR AUDIO AND LONG RANGE - DECT 6.0 technology provides clear audio transmission, eliminating annoying background noise while allowing you to move from room to room. Up to 1,000 feet of range lets you stay connected to your baby from another room
- 5-LEVEL SOUND INDICATOR AND 2-WAY TALK-BACK INTERCOM - LEDs on the parent unit indicate the level of sound in your baby's room so you can visually monitor the noise level. The built-in intercom on the parent unit lets you talk to your baby from any room
- NIGHT LIGHT ON THE BABY UNIT - A soothing light on the baby unit gently illuminates a dark nursery. Both the parent unit(s) and baby unit allow you to turn on or off the nightlight on the baby unit
#4 Amazon Best-selling
- PACKAGE - The parent unit additionally comes with rechargeable NiHM batteries, while both baby and parent units contain battery compartments and Micro USB connection.
- TWO-WAY TALK & LULLABIES - Parents can talk to and comfort the baby by pressing the talking button. Lull your baby to sleep with a wide option range of up to 8 lullabies!
- NIGHT LIGHT CONTROL - Parents can remotely control the night light for the baby anytime needed.
#5 Amazon Best-selling
- DECT technology provides zero interference & a private connection
- Night light and lullabies to calm your little one
- Talk-back feature, talk remotely to your baby
