Can Home Security Systems Be Breached? How To Prevent A Breach

Personal safety is a hot topic these days. One way people feel more secure is to install a home security system. However, it is essential to know whether your home security system could be breached and what to do to stay safe.

What is a Home Security Breach?

Home security systems are made up of various items such as door and window sensors, a control panel, and video cameras. Some systems are backed by a home security company, and when an alarm goes off, they alert the police for you. Others may be installed using a DIY kit and are simply for the homeowner to configure, use, and alert authorities.

A home security breach is when an unauthorized person accesses your home security equipment without your express permission and often without your knowledge. It may include burglars deactivating your home alarms so they can enter the house before stealing valuables. In other cases, hackers take control of your home security cameras to spy on you. Cybercriminals may also gain access to your entire network and other devices through a vulnerability in your home security system. Regardless of the type of attack, there are some weak points to any home security system that you should be aware of and address quickly.

Are Smart Homes Susceptible to Cyber Attacks?

The quick answer to this question is yes. Smart home appliances have quickly become the norm for most households in the U.S. People rely on Alexa to report the weather and answer questions about the next scheduled ball game. We are fully connected with our smart TVs, coffee makers, and home security cameras. The problem is all this connectivity also provides an avenue for a cybercriminal to breach your system.

Any device using Wi-Fi or unsecured connections to the internet is at risk. Some smart home devices use radio signals which can also be breached, intercepted, or interfered with. All this fancy technology has made us more vulnerable than ever before to data breaches and electronic home invasions.

How Can Your Home Security System be Breached?

Unfortunately, the more types of IoT devices you have in your home, the more ways there are for someone to breach your home security system. A few of the most common methods of a home security breach include:

Man-in-the-Middle Attacks

A man-in-the-middle attack is when someone nearby uses a device or software to listen in on your network or intercept communication between a device and the internet, looking for a loophole. These bad actors can exploit these vulnerabilities to intercept information, steal login credentials, capture keystrokes, and spy on your texts, emails, and other online activities. If they gain a foothold into your network, they can install malware and do even more damage. Man-in-the-middle attacks are often used for identity theft and fraud.

Data Theft

Another very serious concern for people worried about a data breach is the theft of information. We store everything on the computer, mobile phones, and even online in cloud services. If a cybercriminal were to breach your network via your home security system, you could lose everything. With the right software, they can steal your social security number, birth date, banking details, credit card information, logins, and more. You could wake up one morning to find your bank accounts drained and your credit cards maxed out. These are not just horror stories; it's extremely common, especially since 2020, when the pandemic hit, and cybercrime spiked.

If the cybercriminals get away with any of your usernames and passwords, they may use them in credential stuffing. If you reused any credentials on other websites, they could take control of those accounts too.

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks

A DDoS attack is when hackers flood a device, network, or computer with network traffic to interrupt service or crash it so they can gain access. DDoS attacks are becoming more common because they are an effective method of placing a device in a state of confusion, opening it up to other threats such as malware, ransomware, or remote control.

Malware Attack

Another prevalent method of breaching your home security system is using malware. The recent SolarWinds supply chain attack is an excellent example of a malware attack used for a data breach. Hackers installed various types of malware onto network devices resulting in more than 18,000 victims. Malware is extremely common and very damaging. It can lead to theft, data breaches, identity theft, and other types of fraud.

How to Protect Your Smart Home from Cyber Attacks

Even though your home security system may be a way for culprits to work their way in, there are things you can do to protect yourself and stay safe.

Do Your Homework

Always thoroughly research home security products and services before buying. Read reviews and pay close attention to any incidents of hacking or vulnerabilities listed on the news.

Network Encryption

When setting up your wireless network and attaching your home security appliances to it, always turn on encryption. You can do this through your router. Use WPA3 or WP2 for Wi-Fi security, if available; it's much more secure than WEP or WPA. Always choose AES for encryption.

Wi-Fi Password Safety

When setting your network password, make it long, strong, and impossible to guess. Never use personal details in a password (such as your birthdate, kids' or pets' birthdates, or names). Use a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Use a password manager so all your passwords can be complex, but you only have to remember one of them.

Don't forget to change the default admin username and password of your network router and any other equipment that comes pre-loaded with one. Hackers often get into home networks because the homeowner forgets to change the admin login.

Update Everything

Keep all devices and software updated to the latest security patches. Check frequently to see if any firmware updates exist for your home security equipment.

Turn on Multi-Factor Authentication

Use multi-factor or biometric authentication for all devices connected to your Wi-Fi network.

Installing a home security network can give you an extra sense of peace of mind; however, take the steps above to rest easier, knowing your network is as safe as it can be.

BIO: David Lukić is an information privacy, security and compliance consultant at IDstrong.com. The passion to make cyber security accessible and interesting has led David to share all the knowledge he has.