Amazon baby monitors ‘let hackers spy in your home’

CHEAP home security cameras – often sold as baby monitors – allow hackers to spy on families, experts warn.

The Chinese-made WiFi devices, frequently promoted on Amazon, have security flaws – despite many positive reviews on the tech giant’s website and a coveted Amazon’s Choice recommendation.

But researchers at Which? found security issues, such as weak passwords, that mean hackers can spy on homes.

The consumer group tested four cameras, the ieGeek 1080p (£32.99), the Sricam 720p (£26.24), the Victure 1080p (£29.99), and the Vstarcam C7837WIP (£39.99), which are claimed to provide safety. With both the ieGeek and Sricam models, WiFi passwords were sent unencrypted over the internet when someone

‘Strangers were viewing our lives’

claiming to be the user requested them. One Amazon reviewer wrote of the ieGeek baby monitor: ‘Strangers were viewing my family.’

Which? said it was ‘worryingly simple’ to gain access to the Victure 1080p. One reviewer of a related product, the Victure Baby Monitor Pet WiFi Camera, listed at £19.99, warned: ‘I went to check on my baby and a voice from the device’s speaker said “Hello” in a female voice. It sent chills down my spine.’

Which? said it was impossible to contact the Chinese manufacturers about the security flaws, while Amazon has not removed the cameras from sale.

Which? consumer rights expert Adam French said: ‘There appears to be little to no quality control.’ Amazon said: ‘We proactively monitor multiple sources for safety notifications.’