S’pore Home Camera Footages Hacked & Sold; Some Are Even Uploaded to Adult Site

Your home is supposed to be a place of refuge and security.

No matter what dangers or adversities you encounter in the outside world, it’s nice to know that there’s a place you can always come back to to seek respite: a safe haven.

But what if that very personal space was invaded, and violated?

What if, while in the privacy of your own home, your every move was watched by strangers online?

This sounds like a nightmarish scenario, but that’s exactly what happened to some unfortunate residents here.

S’pore Home Cameras Allegedly Hacked & Sold on Adult Site

A group on Discord has allegedly been hacking security cameras in Singapore homes and sharing the stolen footage retrieved online.

According to The New Paper, the group claimed on Saturday (10 Oct) that it had shared more than 3TB of clips with over 70 members who paid a subscription fee of US$150 (S$203) for lifetime access.

In these clips, couples, breastfeeding mothers, and even children can be seen in compromising positions, or even without their clothes on.

The videos, which can be as long as 20 minutes, show unsuspecting residents in their bedrooms, living rooms, and toilets too, if the door is left ajar.

In one such video, a teenage girl can be seen in a white T-shirt and panties with school books around her, reported TNP.

The scary thing is that some of these clips from the stolen footage have been uploaded on pornographic sites.

Footage From Internet Protocol Cameras

The footage seems to be from Internet Protocol (IP) cameras, a type of digital video camera that receives and transmits data over a network or the internet.

These cameras are usually installed for security or monitoring purposes, such as to observe domestic workers or children.

The Discord group, which has close to 1,000 members, appears to specialise in hacking IP cameras.

The group has also hacked home footage from other countries including Thailand, South Korea, and Canada.

Most of the clips, however, seem to be from Singapore.

While some have paid for lifetime access to all their videos, the group also provides a 700MB “sample” of around 4,000 videos and pictures for free.

The group also claims that it will provide tutorials for VIP members to teach them how to “explore, watch live and even record” hacked cameras.

How could they do something like this?

Viewers Can Also Be Prosecuted

Even if you weren’t the one who retrieved the footage, you can get in trouble just for watching these videos.

Viewers who watch or share these clips can be prosecuted for offences relating to voyeurism, according to TNP.

As for the deviant hackers, they will face stern penalties even if they committed the crime outside the country.

As Criminal lawyer James Ow Yong explained: “The Computer Misuse Act has extra-jurisdictional reach, and applies as long as either the accused was in Singapore, or the computer, program or data was in Singapore at the time of the offence,”.

Moreover, if the victim is under 16 years old, the clip may be considered child pornography, and those accused of distributing or selling child pornography can be imprisoned for up to seven years, fined and/or caned.

What Can You Do to Stay Safe?

If you have an IP camera installed in your house, there are a few things you can do to prevent them from being hacked:

1. Use Strong Passwords – One mistake that many owners make is that they use the default password that comes with the IP camera. Use a strong password, and remember to change it regularly.

Try using pass phrases instead of passwords. The more complex, the better. (Download a password manager in case you forget them).

2. Regularly Update your Security Camera’s Software – Regularly updating your camera’s software will ensure that any bugs or security flaws are fixed.

3. Turn off Remote Monitoring – For many residents, remote monitoring is the reason they purchase IP cameras, but it can also leave you vulnerable to hackers if your password is weak. Remember to turn it off when you’re not using it.

4. Purchase Camera From Trusted Brand – Make sure to do your research before buying a security camera to ensure you’ve got one that offers reliable security features and excellent customer service.

Sadly, these hackers are always going to be out there. That’s why we constantly have to be on our guard to protect ourselves.