Internet-based IP Cameras Used for Home Security Hacked: Hackers Breach 1.20 Lakh Home CCTV Cameras, Record Private Videos
Internet-based IP Cameras Used for Home Security Hacked: Hackers Breach 1.20 Lakh Home CCTV Cameras, Record Private Videos
Police arrest four accused after massive IP-camera hacking scandal; weak passwords blamed for breach.
South Korean authorities have uncovered a major cybercrime operation where more than 1.20 lakh home and shop CCTV cameras were hacked, with the attackers secretly recording and selling private and obscene videos online. The arrests were made after a detailed investigation by cyber units, who found that the hackers targeted internet-based IP cameras commonly used for home security.
According to officials, these cameras were extremely easy to compromise because many users never changed the default passwords or used weak combinations. The attackers scanned for vulnerable devices, gained remote access and then recorded intimate footage from homes, a women’s clinic and even a Pilates studio. Police confirmed that the four accused acted independently and were not connected to one another.
Investigators revealed that one hacker alone breached over 63,000 cameras and created more than 500 explicit clips, earning nearly ₹10 lakh. Another accused accessed more than 70,000 cameras and sold over 600 videos for around ₹24 lakh. Together, these two individuals were responsible for almost two-thirds of the videos posted on a foreign website over the past year. Three people who bought and viewed these clips have also been arrested.
Authorities are now working with international agencies to shut down the platform hosting the content and trace its operator. Police officials said the breach has caused severe emotional distress to the victims and stressed that both hacking cameras and viewing such material are criminal offences.
Cyber experts have urged users to strengthen their home security practices. They recommend using strong passwords, rotating them every month, avoiding default factory settings, keeping camera software updated and ensuring that cameras are not placed in sensitive areas such as bedrooms or bathrooms. If a breach is suspected, users are advised to immediately change the password and report the incident to police.
The case has raised serious concerns about the security of connected devices and the risks posed by poor password hygiene, highlighting the need for greater awareness among home CCTV users.
