Can a Home Security System be Hacked?

July 16, 2022
 |  Home Security System

A home security system is a system that protects homes from intruders. It can be a physical security system, or it can be an electronic security system. It is also referred to as a house security system.

A home security system is a critical device in the household. It has helped many people protect their homes from thieves and burglars. However, it’s essential to know that even the best systems can be hacked into and compromised. This article aims to answer the question, “Can a Home Security System be hacked?”

Home security systems can be hacked. Knowing how a home security system can be compromised and how to take the necessary precautions to protect oneself is essential.

 

  1. Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as smartphones or tablets, can be hacked using the “BlueBorne” vulnerability. This software flaw allows attackers to take control of these devices regardless of whether or not they are within range of the device being hacked. This is done by exploiting a weakness in a Bluetooth protocol that enables an attacker to gain access to a Bluetooth device.

 

  1. The IP address is not the best way to determine where hackers come from. This is because hackers can mask their location by using proxies and VPNs, which prevents law enforcement agents from finding out where they’re located. The IP address can’t be used to find out what’s happening on someone’s computer.

Brute force attacks

A hacker “guesses” the password in a brute force attack. Since most users choose passwords that are easy to remember, many of them can be measured or cracked with a simple algorithm. But choosing more complex passwords is not always the best solution, as they are easy to forget. The result can create the ideal conditions for a successful brute force attack.

 

Furthermore, even if you mitigate these attacks by protecting basic human nature, other types of cyberattacks on security systems target communications and stored data.

Man-in-the-middle attacks

A packet sniffer allows a packet hacker to capture data that can be used to retrieve passwords or other sensitive data, such as video content, while in transit over a network. A man-in-the-middle attack can occur when a user stands between a sender and a receiver and sniffs information. Often, the hacker “listens” until the client sends a username and password to the server, which gives the hacker the necessary credentials to access the system.

 

In addition, after reading and potentially modifying the data, the man-in-the-middle attacker can send them without the recipient knowing that the exchange is not secure. Since neither the sender nor the recipient knows that this has happened, there is no way for them to know that their data has been changed or corrupted.

How To Prevent Your Security Systems From Getting Hacked?

  1. A better approach is to choose a single, non-continuous password that is not tied to the date of birth or another critical event. This type of password usually includes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and some symbols. You’ll also need to change your password frequently, especially if you’ve given it to service workers like cleaners and if they no longer work for you.

 

  1. If you have a router (as opposed to renting one from your ISP), regularly check for updates and keep them current. You can also make it “invisible,” which means other wireless device users near your home won’t see your network listed. Again, it would help if you also chose a strong password that is not easy to guess.

 

  1. Encryption technology is not just limited to wireless networks; it can also be integrated into your security system. Many newer, professionally installed security systems on the market encrypt your data before sending it, adding an extra level of protection against hacking and cyber threats. A hacker can still intercept the data, but without the decryption key, they cannot read or use it.

 

If you would like to learn more about home security systems and system safety for your home, you can speak with one of our experts at Sentry Communications. We have extensive experience with home security, burglar alarm monitoring and can guide you toward the right choice, so give us a call today at 1-866-5-SENTRY.

GO BACK TO BLOG