The SmartAudio 8MP IP Camera Delivers Light and Sound to Deter Unwanted Activity
In 2014 a journalist stumbled upon a website that indexed 73,000 unsecured IP cameras. Creepy to say the least, it shows how easy a security camera can be hacked.
Choose your camera by considering the type of environment you are monitoring and what features you need. For example, do you require night vision?
Cameras
Unlike analog security cameras that send images via analog signals over coaxial cables, IP cameras transmit digital signals over twisted-pair Ethernet. This allows them to be viewed over the Internet or a private virtual private network (VPN). It also eliminates distance as a barrier for monitoring and helps reduce installation and expansion costs.
Another advantage of an IP camera system is the security they offer. Analog cameras transmit data in plain text, making them vulnerable to hacking and tampering. By contrast, IP cameras use encryption to keep your images and data safe.
The best way to protect your IP camera system is by changing the default login credentials. Many cameras ship with passwords that can be found online ip camera factory and in PDF manuals, which makes it easy for even inexperienced attackers to take control or brick your device.
You can also improve the security of your IP camera by ensuring that it is on a private Wi-Fi network, which keeps it out of reach of hackers and anyone else who might want to view its footage. To ensure this, ask your Internet provider to set you up with a static IP address that will not change every time you connect to the Wi-Fi. You can also add a firewall to your router or wireless network, which will help protect the device from unwanted attacks.
Software
Two things have proven to be very effective at deterring unwanted activity; light and sound. The SmartAudio 8MP IP camera delivers both by offering a suite of trigger events that play one of 6 uploadable onboard audio files through the integrated amplified speaker.
A centralized video management system for all your cameras, with a customizable monitor layout for each device. The software also allows you to set image and video properties such as resolution, frame rate, saturation, contrast and brightness.
This free tool provides an easy way to connect, configure and manage all your AK-HC3900, CU250 and NP600 PTZ and system cameras*1. With a single web browser, you can upgrade firmware on multiple cameras at the same time, assign IP addresses, manage users, and adjust video settings for each individual device.
It is recommended to restart the computer after installing the application and enabling IP Camera Manager. This helps to eliminate any potential bugs that may have occurred during the installation process.
Default passwords on many popular IP cameras are easily ip camera factory discovered by savvy hackers and can allow them to take control of the camera, brick the device or watch live video. Finding these default credentials can be time consuming and difficult, as some manufacturers bury them deep within PDF manuals.
This tool will automatically detect the list of devices on your network and show them in a table. It will display the device name, user login information and IP address. You can also select the checkbox next to each device to perform a quick factory reset on that camera.
Accessories
The security industry is moving away from analog systems that require dedicated wiring for power and connectivity to IP cameras which can be easily integrated with existing network infrastructure. The flexibility of IP camera networks also allows them to be used to monitor building or space occupancy to improve efficiency and control costs by automatically adjusting lighting, heating or air conditioning in different zones.
For those looking to add specialized functionality or features to their IP camera system, ACTi offers a variety of accessories. Mounting solutions allow for quick and secure installation on walls, ceilings or vertical poles while covers protect cameras from the elements and vandalism. Mounting frames and brackets help installers to adjust the camera position and angle as needed. Housings provide extra protection from water, dust or other contaminants while providing mounting points for a tamper switch and other sensors.
Several manufacturers now require unique passwords to access the camera interface, and some, like Bosch and Hikvision, even prompt users to set strong passwords after the initial configuration process. This helps prevent someone from simply using a dictionary attack to gain access and take over or brick the camera, especially if the default password is left unchanged. In case you forget your camera login credentials, there are a few ways to reset the camera. Some cameras have a reset button on the device itself, usually found by searching the back or bottom of the device for a small hole or screw. Others have a small pin or paperclip type button on the back or base of the camera that can be pressed and held down (typically for more than 4 seconds) to restore factory default settings.
Pricing
When it comes to through-life costs, IP cameras can deliver significant savings compared to analog models. Adding new analog security cameras requires dedicated wiring for power and connectivity, whereas IP cameras can share the same existing network cabling. In addition, some IP cameras provide zoom capabilities or wider fields of view in a single unit, reducing hardware and installation costs versus installing additional cameras to achieve the same coverage. Finally, many IP camera solutions can integrate with smart building and environmental control systems to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs through a smarter approach to monitoring.
The centralized intelligence that is normally housed on expensive hardware servers can also be stored in the cloud, eliminating this cost entirely. This significantly lowers the total cost of ownership for a smarter solution that is easier to maintain and scale than a traditional analog security camera system.