The Risky Business of Ring’s Vulnerable Security
If you are like the rest of Americans, you have noticed that the Ring Security company has been in the news lately— and not for anything useful. Between security hacks and lawsuits, the company has landed itself in hot water.
Surveillance Camera Hacks
Homeowners have security cameras installed in their homes to give them peace of mind when they are not able to see what is going on inside. But what happens when a stranger can access your security cameras? Unfortunately, that is what is happening for some Ring Security customers.
In December 2019, a family’s Ring camera that was installed in their children’s playroom was accessed by an unknown hacker. The hacker then spoke directly to the family’s 8-year-old daughter, using derogatory language and trying to persuade the girl to misbehave. This incident is not isolated, as several more customers have come forward with comparable stories.
There is no denying that there has been a surge in hacked Ring accounts. Because Ring accounts do not require two-factor authentication by default, many customers are leaving themselves susceptible to hackers that use inexpensive password-cracking software. These programs work by using login credentials that have been compromised and shared on the dark web.
The Ring company did not release a statement addressing customers’ concerns until December 12, 2019. Ring’s response was, “Recently, we were made aware of an incident where malicious actors obtained some Ring users’ account credentials (e.g., username and password) from a separate, external, non-Ring service and reused them to log into some Ring accounts.
Unfortunately, when people reuse the same username and password on multiple services, it’s possible for bad actors to gain access to many accounts.”
They then said that they have taken actions to block some hackers from their system, but that their customers should update their passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
Ring’s response did not sit well with some of their affected customers, and on December 26, 2019, a $5 million federal class-action lawsuit was filed against Ring and their parent company Amazon. The lawsuit alleges claims for negligence, invasion of privacy, breach of implied contract, breach of implied warranty, and unjust enrichment.
The lawsuit claims, “While Ring quickly attempted to distance itself from liability by blaming customers for failing to create strong security passwords, it is Ring who failed to provide sufficiently robust security measures such as two-factor authentication and other protocols necessary to maintain the integrity and inviolability of its cameras. As a result of Ring’s defective design, and its failure to imbue its Wi-Fi cameras with sufficient security protocols, its customers’ most basic privacy rights were violated along with the security and sanctity of their homes.”
When it comes to your family’s safety and privacy, you want to make sure you are in good hands. Companies like Ring and Amazon are successful because they have enormous advertising budgets and can become more well-known by running their ads as much as they choose.
To avoid this trap, look for companies that have a history of putting customer privacy and satisfaction first. Reputable security companies have sophisticated security measures in place that can prevent hackers from getting in. Additionally, setting up professional monitoring is an inexpensive way to provide an additional layer of security. Our options start at only $27 per month for monitoring.
The security experts at FSS Technologies can help you determine what the best security system options are for your home and budget. Give us a call today to get protected.
Explore Our Other Blogs
How to Conduct a Physical Security Audit
Protecting your livelihood is at the top of every business owner’s mind, but how do you know if your business is truly protected? By performing a physical security audit, you can fully assess any threats that your business might be subject to and take the necessary steps to mitigate those threats. During a physical security audit, each aspect of the business and its security…
How Poor Security Can Cost Your Business
Poor security practices have hidden costs With the many expenses that business owners must juggle for day-to-day operations, security often falls by the wayside. Even though it seems like an easy way to save money, the cost of handling a break-in can surpass the money you’d spend on installing and maintaining a security system. Here…
Where Should Security Cameras Be Installed in a Business?
Security camera placement in a business needs to be strategically decided based on several important factors. Areas that store valuables, have high foot traffic, and enable access to your building should be some of the essential locations. Learn more about what kinds of security cameras you can use and where they should be installed in…
The Cost of Professional Security Monitoring vs. Self-Monitoring
We recently talked about the various codes required for your security and fire protection systems. We also talked about why monitoring is vital as part of a business’s fire safety system—mainly because the code may require it. This blog will address the pros and cons of self-monitoring your business’ entire alarm system versus the cost of professional security monitoring. First, what is the difference between the two? Professional vs. Self…
The Benefits of Keyless Access Control
As your organization grows and evolves, managing physical access becomes increasingly complex. Traditional keys often struggle to keep pace with changing employee roles, multiple locations, and heightened security expectations. These issues don’t just cause minor issues—they create risks that can impact productivity, compliance, and overall security. Keyless access provides a modern approach to commercial access…
Security Integrations with Avigilon Alta
Security systems and integrations For business owners and managers, security systems are a key tool in protecting your customers, property, and commercial operations. There are several components to consider when working to create the best security system for your business, and there’s never a one-size-fits-all solution. A helpful approach to finding the best fit for…
How Landscaping Affects Your Security
Visibility When it comes to the landscaping around your home or business, there are several considerations to keep in mind that could affect your visibility and overall security. While some suggestions to increase visibility and reduce obstructions may seem obvious, others are more subtle and could have a considerable impact. Lighting Having adequate lighting around…
Lowe’s Iris Line Goes Under
Many consumers are seeing red with the recent news that big-box retailer Lowe’s is shutting down service to its Iris smart home platform. Lowe’s launched its Iris cloud service in 2012 so it could sell its own smart home products to the public. Customers with an Iris smart hub, the heart of the network, could…
Which Businesses are Burglarized Most?
The idea of business theft and burglary is not a pleasant one; however, the likelihood of your business being burglarized is rather high. In fact, approximately 37% of small business owners were impacted by burglary or theft over the past year. Retail businesses in particular are highly targeted as thieves are seeking the opportunity to either use or resell stolen items. Everything from simple shoplifting to employee theft can contribute to overall business…
How Video Doorbells Work
A video doorbell is a system that allows you to see who is ringing your doorbell by way of a video connection. If your video doorbell has a two-way audio system, you also can talk to the person at the front door, whether you’re home or not. How you connect your system and how you…