Is Your Smart Camera Watching the Right People? What to Know Before You Plug It In
A few years ago, a family in Mississippi lived through every parent’s worst nightmare. Their eight-year-old daughter heard a strange man’s voice coming from her bedroom — but it wasn’t her dad. Someone had hacked into their Ring camera. The man started taunting her, even playing creepy music through the speaker. Her parents rushed in and yanked the plug out of the wall. Later, it turned out the hacker got in because they’d reused an old password that had already been leaked online.
Stories like this are hard to hear — especially when you’ve got little ones of your own or a team and a business to protect. But the truth is, situations like this aren’t as rare as we’d like them to be.
Today, smart cameras and connected devices are everywhere — and for good reason. They’re affordable, easy to install, and they give small businesses, like dental practices, a simple way to keep an eye on things. Whether it’s checking who’s at the front door, keeping tabs on supply storage, or reviewing after-hours activity, these tools offer peace of mind.
But here’s the thing: That peace of mind only lasts if those devices are actually secure.
Not All Cameras Are Built the Same
Let me be real with you — not every camera on the shelf is safe to use. Many cheaper models skip critical security features like encryption or routine software updates. Even some of the well-known brands can leave you exposed if the default settings are left untouched.
Hackers don’t need a huge window to sneak in. All it takes is a default password, a missed update, or an unsecured Wi-Fi network. In some cases, bad actors have even used hacked cameras to spy on footage or sneak deeper into a company’s network.
What to Look for When Choosing (or Reviewing) Your Devices
If you’re thinking about adding new cameras to your office — or wondering whether the ones, you already have are still safe — here are a few things to consider:
- Stick with trusted brands that offer regular security updates.
- Check for encryption – this means the video feed is scrambled before it’s sent to the cloud.
- Look for two-factor authentication so it’s harder for someone to break in.
- Bonus points if the device offers local storage (not just cloud-only).
How You Set It Up Matters Just as Much
You could buy the safest camera on the market — but if it’s not set up properly, it’s still a risk.
Here’s what I recommend:
- Change the default username and password as soon as it’s out of the box.
- Enable automatic updates so you’re always protected from newly discovered threats.
- Keep your smart devices on a separate WiFi network from your business systems — this limits the damage if one device gets compromised.
- Secure your router with strong passwords and current firmware. That’s your front door to everything.
Don’t Forget About the Other “Smart” Stuff
Cameras usually get the spotlight, but they’re just one piece of the puzzle. Smart doorbells, thermostats, voice assistants — they all connect to your network, and they can all be targeted by hackers.
For a dental practice, it’s not just about someone snooping on a video feed. It could mean exposure of patient data, financial records, or other sensitive information. That’s the kind of headache none of us need.
The Bottom Line
Smart devices can make your practice more efficient and more secure — if they’re set up the right way. A few simple steps now can protect you from a major tech scare later.
If you're not 100% sure your current setup is locked down, let’s take that worry off your plate. We offer a free discovery call to review your smart devices, spot any weak links, and walk you through your options — no pressure, no tech-speak.
Let’s make sure your “smart” gadgets are working for you — not someone else.
If you are interested in hiring us to manage your IT infrastructure, please reach out to us here.