How many electronic eyes are spying on us everywhere? Nobody knows. An increasing number of these can spy on and steal secrets, documents, files, as well as allowing thieves to enter the house without problems. Because they are often IP cameras (that is, always connected) of quality and very low prices, with ridiculous passwords, identifiable in seconds, easily hacked. A big risk because the video surveillance camera market is growing by double digits on every continent and with an impressive but uncontrollable speed. In Shanghai, for example, until a few months ago they were around 3 million, and in London over 700 thousand. Now several thousand more have – it seems – been installed.
We can only disclose the value of the worldwide video surveillance market (hardware, software and services) which, according to Allied Market Research, exceeded $36 billion which will become more than 2023 in 77, and 87 in 2025, growing at a rate of 15 to 16 percent. A market that was born made in China, travels largely and unfortunately without controls on e-commerce and spreads everywhere with cameras of sometimes extremely low price and quality and which can be violated with a simple smartphone, by downloading software freely from the Internet. Or by following the live instructions of some sites such as for example Canal Malek (also on Youtube) e Insecam, which is based in Russia. Sites like these have been broadcasting for a long time live very clear instructions and demonstrations, as various experts have uselessly denounced.
As a consequence, there are now tens and tens of thousands of IP video surveillance and security systems hacked, not only of villas or apartments but mostly of companies, public places (hospitals), courts, ministries… This will be discussed at Security 2019. Only in Europe in a year have been 80 thousand systems violated. And often these are "digital" thefts with significant damage because precious files and documents are stolen. This is why in all the exhibitions dedicated to security, the areas of cybersecurity increase as will also happen at Security 2019, which Fiera Milano organizes from 13 to 15 November where they will take place conferences and meetings with international cybersecurity super-experts. Are there any remedies? Yes and no.
The most authoritative consumer association in Europe, English Which? and, simultaneously, Bitdefender have conducted extensive tests on these cameras, demonstrating that the producers - Chinese, almost all of Shenzen - due to the fierce competition that distinguishes the sector, have progressively made them vulnerable to the lack of encryption of communications. Serious problems for security purposes - according to tests - in particular for the Tenvis TH611, the Genker IP, the Keekoon IP and the Reolink C1Pro, all sold on Amazon, excluding the Keekoon sold on Cdiscount.
Thankfully, it will soon hit the market Cactus Concept, the world's first “impenetrable” IP camera, designed and built by the German mobotix with a decisive Italian contribution for the software platform, which like the cactus knows how to operate in a hostile environment. After 2 years of research, this IP camera was entrusted to SYS, the body that tested its reliability with severe hacking attempts, none of which were successful. It works not only as video security but also as a smartphone, with intelligent performance, and prevents any type of access.
Extremely safe (for example, to reset the password you need to send it to Germany) it allows exceptional applications since it prevents any type of “draught”. In fact, many cameras are activated programmed or not by fishing, randomly or not, from PCs, smartphones and other devices everything that is present, documents, files, PDFs, secrets, obviously transferring them where they are, so to speak, "expected". And be careful, for the fear that companies, institutions and individuals will become alarmed, security operators do not like to disclose the increasingly frequent episodes of "miraculous fishing" which, among other things, can create another... miracle, the multiplication of loaves and fishes, that is, fishing.
Because, for example, a low-quality IP camera fetches the contents not only from the company PC where it is installed (instead of protecting it from thieves of all kinds) but by all those of the employees, collaborators and suppliers who are connected. Cameras of super-known Chinese brands have, moreover, recently banned entire secret sittings of the English parliament without difficulty and then transferred them to China… And then, a question to those who shop for security on the Internet: did you know that you are entrusting the security of your family, your company, your life to an unknown Chinese factory that does not respond to emails, phone calls, messages?
From the blog Paula's house.
To contact the author: paola.krugmann@libero.it
