Security News > 2020 > December > FBI Warn Hackers are Using Hijacked Home Security Devices for ‘Swatting’

By accessing a targeted home security device an attacker can initiate a call for help to authorities and watch remotely as the swat occurs.

The FBI points out that by initiating a call for help from the actual security device lends authenticity and anonymity to the hacker.

"Recently, offenders have been using victims' smart devices, including video and audio capable home surveillance devices, to carry out swatting attacks," The FBI's public service announcement read. "To gain access to the smart devices, offenders are likely taking advantage of customers who re-use their email passwords for their smart device. The offenders use stolen email passwords to log into the smart device and hijack features, including the live-stream camera and device speakers."

"A trend I am happy to see among consumer devices is the requirement to set your own complex password during device setup, rather than having a default one set at the factory.

"Any organization that sells devices that have the kinds of privacy impacts such as always-on video cameras or devices that are always listening for commands, has an obligation to provide a reasonable amount of education to their customers," he said.

News URL

https://threatpost.com/fbi-warn-home-security-devices-swatting/162678/