Blog

The Risky Business of Ring’s Vulnerable Security

January 3, 2020|fsstechnologies

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. 

there has been a surge in hacked Ring accounts

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. 

Speak With a Security Expert Today

Explore Our Other Blogs

Hero-commercial-min

Fire Systems for Commercial Properties

Commercial property management companies have portfolios varying in scale and specialty. Still, they all share the standard responsibility of understanding and implementing fire safety measures for their operations. Fires pose a significant but avoidable threat to your properties, occupants, and sources of revenue. While not all fires can be prevented, some can cause catastrophic damage…

Continue reading
diy-security-systems-Hero-min

DIY Security Systems

DIY home security systems have been on the market for years, offering homeowners the ability to order and install a simple-to-use system for their property. A DIY system often boasts cheap and easy security solutions for a home but are not the right fit for all homes. Cost-Benefits As with almost everything in life, cheaper isn’t…

Continue reading
Hero-RingDoorbell-min

Ring Doorbell Cons

Video doorbells are a great addition to home security, and Ring is the popular choice for many who prefer wireless security. Although there are some pros to the Ring Doorbell, it has some cons you should be aware of before purchasing from Ring.   Monthly Fee for Storage The cheapest Ring doorbell is $59.99, with…

Continue reading
Heroalarmbeeping-min

The Top 5 Reasons Why Your Smoke Alarm Is Beeping

Do you hear a faint chirping noise coming from the back hallway or the basement? Don’t ignore it. It might be your smoke detector. Smoke detectors are designed to chirp or beep when they need servicing. Common Reasons for Smoke Alarm to Beep When the battery in your smoke alarm is starting to get weak,…

Continue reading
renter-insurance-discount-hero-min

Will Renter’s Insurance Give a Discount if You Have a Security System?

Home invasions or burglaries are a threat to any household, regardless of where they are located. One of the biggest deterrents for burglars is a home security system that could record evidence of their actions or could notify the authorities at the time of a break-in. This is a huge motivator for homeowners when deciding…

Continue reading
vulnerable-parts-home-hero-min

How Burglars Break In and Where to Secure Your Home

When a burglar considers your home as a potential target, here are some of the things he or she is looking for. Easy Access An intruder doesn’t want to get caught and needs to have an easy escape. There’s not a more easily accessible entry point at your home than an unlocked door, and most…

Continue reading
5g-radio-waves-hero-min

5G Security Concerns & the 3G Sunset

Consumers are using the internet on the go more than ever. By 2022, it is projected that consumers will utilize nearly 11GB of data per month, primarily due to video consumption. To create a more robust and long-term solution, technology infrastructure is working towards the next generation of mobile networks: 5G. With this network upgrade…

Continue reading
2019-05_FSSTechnologies_blogs_diy-home-security-cameras_facebook-min

DIY Home Security Cameras

DIY Security Systems Are the New Fad How many cameras can the system support, and can it support cameras from other manufacturers? – You’ll hear systems called 2-channel, 4-channel, 16-channel, etc., which determines how many cameras the system can support. It’s best to purchase a system that can support a few more cameras than you…

Continue reading
tips-to-prevent-hackers-hero-min

Tips to Prevent Your Security System from Being Hacked

The Risky Business of Ring’s Vulnerable Security and other DIY security systems can leave your home as a potential target for hackers or thieves. When you are investing in a security system, you are hoping for peace of mind, and you are trusting this technology with your safety and property. Have I Been Hacked? A hacker may…

Continue reading
camera-placement-business-hero-min

Where Should Security Cameras be Installed in a Business?

When you walk into a gas station, it’s safe to assume that everything is being monitored. Businesses seek to maintain the safety of their employees, customers, and property at all times, and a commercial security system is the most common way to do so. Commercial security systems include many pieces, including video security components. CCTV cameras are…

Continue reading
24h emergency
Secure My Space
chat with us