Dangers of IP Camera - An Observational Study on Peeping

Abstract

Existing research on information security for IP cameras has been primarily focused on issues with authentication or malware, but not on the peeping method itself. How cyber peeping is conducted in real world can further help in strengthening defenses accordingly and spread more awareness about dangers of IP camera. In this research, we observed peeps by setting up a honeypot using decoy cameras in two scenarios. First, where background information (handwritten URL and ID/password bait) can be read by humans. Second, simulating a living-room in a home environment. As a result, many examples of peeping into the decoy cameras were confirmed in reality. Also, a rapid increase in peeping (over 20,000 times/day) was seen after a decoy camera's feed got posted on a well-known website, showing a large scale peeping danger also exists due to such websites. The results of this study were used in several TV programs to show the dangers of using IP cameras over a national broadcasting station and also were directly shared with IP camera vendors, resulting in the improvement of IP camera security. Therefore, we believe that this study can further help in improving the security and awareness on the dangers associated with IP cameras.