Ever get the feeling someone is watching you? Imagine you’re sitting on your sofa watching television by yourself – except you’re not by yourself. Imagine being at school or work and feeling that somebody is watching you. This feeling is unclear to you but is surely present. Evidently, Insecam.com may be responsible. |
The creator claims the purpose of this website is to raise awareness. The use of generic passwords provided by security cameras upon purchase is why insecam (and perhaps others) are able to view these live streams. They want people to change their security camera passwords.
We go about our daily lives often in our own little bubbles. Many are unaware they are being watched. If you’ve purchased any sort of security camera there’s a chance that strangers could be watching you. Creepy, right?
Security cameras usually come setup with a generic password such as “admin” or “12345.” Many people don’t think to change this password. The danger of this is being an easy target for anybody with simple security camera knowledge and computer skills.
A website known as insecam.com is displaying thousands of live security camera feeds around the globe. The creator of this website has not hacked into cameras. It seems these live feeds are readily available through Google, search software and specialized websites. A specific feed is just a search away.
I explored the website myself and found an array of streams. One was the inside of what seemed to be a grocery store in New York. Another was a boat dock in New Jersey. I even saw the insides of plenty of homes around the world. On one feed I witnessed somebody enjoying a nap on their couch. Perhaps creepiest of all was the feed I saw of a baby lying in its crib.
Security cameras usually come setup with a generic password such as “admin” or “12345.” Many people don’t think to change this password. The danger of this is being an easy target for anybody with simple security camera knowledge and computer skills.
A website known as insecam.com is displaying thousands of live security camera feeds around the globe. The creator of this website has not hacked into cameras. It seems these live feeds are readily available through Google, search software and specialized websites. A specific feed is just a search away.
I explored the website myself and found an array of streams. One was the inside of what seemed to be a grocery store in New York. Another was a boat dock in New Jersey. I even saw the insides of plenty of homes around the world. On one feed I witnessed somebody enjoying a nap on their couch. Perhaps creepiest of all was the feed I saw of a baby lying in its crib.
Some people in the online world seem outraged by this. They are calling it a hack, an invasion, and one anonymous blogger even goes so far as to claim this website serves the government (which is not entirely unlikely). Motherboard.com has exchanged emails with the creator of insecam. He or she continued emphasis on the website's purpose being to heighten awareness of a worldwide lacking in security. If people find their own cameras on this website, they have the option to ask they be removed, however the creator says none have asked.
Many people remain unaware that their security cameras may be broadcasted for the worlds viewing. It seems just as many are also unaware of insecam. Thousands of camera feeds are collected each week.
According to Motherboard "The website is the latest, and perhaps biggest, examples of a trend wherein security researchers risk people's personal privacy under the justification of exposing security issues." And they may be onto something. As technology progresses with its cool gadgets and increased security measures, it almost seems we aren't receiving any increased security at all.
Nowadays it is a challenge to secure some privacy with all the surrounding technology. Many people don't mind the public nature of this considering the inclusive nature of social media. However, web security problems are something that should preferably be addressed on one's own terms, rather than displayed on the web for all to see.
-Katherine Sinner, Contributing Writer
Many people remain unaware that their security cameras may be broadcasted for the worlds viewing. It seems just as many are also unaware of insecam. Thousands of camera feeds are collected each week.
According to Motherboard "The website is the latest, and perhaps biggest, examples of a trend wherein security researchers risk people's personal privacy under the justification of exposing security issues." And they may be onto something. As technology progresses with its cool gadgets and increased security measures, it almost seems we aren't receiving any increased security at all.
Nowadays it is a challenge to secure some privacy with all the surrounding technology. Many people don't mind the public nature of this considering the inclusive nature of social media. However, web security problems are something that should preferably be addressed on one's own terms, rather than displayed on the web for all to see.
-Katherine Sinner, Contributing Writer