Baby monitors can do amazing things now, from simple motion alerts to video memories of morning pickups. However, with this advancement comes the risk of cybersecurity threats. Knowing how to tell whether your baby monitor has been hacked is crucial for protecting your family's privacy and safety.
At Asurion, we help millions of people with their tech, and we get a lot of questions about keeping kids safe. We've seen it all—and we're here to help. In this guide, we'll explore signs of baby-monitor hacking and tell you how to secure your device.
Signs your baby monitor may have been hacked
Unusual noises or voices
Hearing strange voices, music, or sounds through your baby monitor can be alarming. If these noises are unrelated to anything in your house (like the TV downstairs or your dryer making a racket), it could be a sign that your monitor was hacked.
Unexplained camera movements
Many modern baby monitors come with the ability to pan, tilt, and zoom remotely. If you notice strange behavior on your video feed, like the camera moving independently without your input, someone may have gained remote access.
Changes in security settings or credentials
Someone else may have access if your baby monitor's settings have been altered or you're suddenly locked out.
Strange LED light activity
Keep an eye on the LED lights on your baby monitor. If they're blinking or turning on and off at odd times, especially when no one is using the device, it might be under the control of a hacker.
Unknown IP addresses
Review the devices connected to your home network. If you find an IP address that doesn’t belong to you, that’s a red flag that could indicate a hacker is on the network.
Unusual activity on your home network
Odd behavior across your home network, like devices connecting and disconnecting without reason or internet speeds slowing down drastically, can also indicate that your baby monitor or other devices have been compromised.
How to secure your baby monitor
To protect against hacking, there are a few things you can do:
- Change the default password to a strong password.
- Enable two-factor authentication, if available, for an additional layer of security.
- Regularly perform firmware and software updates.
- Consider setting up a separate Wi-Fi network for your devices to isolate your baby monitor from your primary network.
If you suspect your baby monitor has been hacked, disconnect it from the internet immediately, reset the device to factory settings, and change all passwords. For more advanced security features and tips on keeping your children safe with smart home devices, explore our resources on setting up parental controls on your child's iPad and the best smart home devices for child safety. Your child’s safety alone is worth it.
Tech is expensive. Protect it all.
Protect the devices your family loves and relies on with one simple plan. With Asurion Home+®, we cover your computers, TVs, tablets, premium headphones, smart devices, and so much more—plus, 24/7 live support for your tech care needs—for less than $1 per day. Learn more about Asurion Home+® coverage and how you can get peace-of-mind electronics protection.
