October 20, 2025
In 2020, a Mississippi family experienced a chilling breach: their eight-year-old daughter heard a stranger's voice through her bedroom Ring camera. A hacker had invaded their device, taunting her and playing music until her parents hurriedly disconnected it. Ring later revealed the intrusion occurred because the family reused a compromised old password.
While alarming, such incidents are unfortunately common. Smart cameras and connected devices have surged in popularity for both homes and small businesses. For small businesses, they offer an affordable way to boost security—be it monitoring the front door, observing inventory, or checking in after hours. However, these conveniences come with significant risks if devices aren't secured properly.
Not all cameras deliver equal protection. Many budget models neglect essential security features like encryption and timely software updates. Even leading brands become vulnerable when default settings remain unchanged. Hackers often exploit weaknesses such as default passwords, outdated firmware, or unsecured WiFi networks. In some cases, attackers have hijacked cameras to access footage or infiltrate broader networks.
If you're shopping for a new camera or auditing your current devices, prioritize reputable brands that provide continuous security patches. Ensure your camera encrypts footage before cloud storage, supports two-factor authentication for logins, and offers options for local storage alongside cloud backups.
How you configure your devices is just as crucial as which ones you buy. Immediately replace default usernames and passwords, and keep firmware and apps consistently updated to close security gaps. Many gadgets support automatic updates—which is the safest choice. Additionally, segmenting your network so smart devices are isolated from business systems minimizes risk, preventing a single compromised device from exposing sensitive data. Don't overlook your router — configure it with the highest security settings available to block unauthorized access.
While cameras attract attention, other smart devices like doorbells, thermostats, and voice assistants also connect to your network—and if unsecured, can serve as vulnerabilities. For small businesses, this could lead not only to hacked video feeds but also to exposure of customer data, financial records, and critical information. With each new connected device, managing security becomes even more essential.
Smart technology can greatly enhance convenience and safety in your workspace, but only when secured deliberately. By taking a few proactive steps today, you can stop hackers from turning your "smart" devices into easy targets.
Ready to secure your business technology? Don't leave your safety to luck. Click here or call us at (419) 522-4001 to arrange a free 15-Minute Discovery Call. We'll help you safeguard your setup before hackers get the chance.
