Hacking into a baby monitor? Why on earth would anyone do that?
It is a strange and equally scary notion that someone could be snooping around, listening in to your everyday interactions around the house. But the fact is that it happens.
In this article we will explain how this happens (with a minimum of technical speak), and show you a list of safe baby monitors that are difficult to hack into.
In this post we will be reviewing the most secure baby monitors in 2024 with the lowest risk of being hacked:
- Vtech VM333 Video Monitor
- Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Monitor
- Baby Sense Video Monitor
- UU Infant Night Vision Camera
- Summer Infant 2900 Secure Baby Monitor
How Easy Is It To Hack A Baby Monitor?
It is becoming increasingly common for people to hack baby monitors which is a significant safety concern. More and more household items are being equipped with wireless capabilities, including many popular video baby monitors.
Baby monitors that are connected via wireless to the internet may seem like a good idea at first glance.
They give you access on your tablet or smartphone to view your baby from anywhere, without worrying about stepping outside of the connection range.
However, these monitors are the most vulnerable.
The problem is that consumers do not think of these items as being computers.
With every additional product you have connected to the internet in your home, the more accessible your home is to intruders, both physical and digital, as all of these products are connected through one thing: your wi-fi router.
Without going into a lot of technical jargon, the bottom line is that the software that runs the baby monitor is often outdated by the time production is finished.
If we look at the Iphone for example. Updates are released regularly to fix vulnerabilities in IOS that a hacker could exploit.
The same vigilance is not applied to some Baby Monitor software, although a number of companies have been releasing updates to their software in response to hacking incidents.
Unfortunately, price does not necessarily play a part in securing your baby’s monitor. With video baby monitors priced between $60-$300, you would hope that the more expensive models are more secure.
Studies have shown that the higher priced models are just as vulnerable as a baby monitor at a lower price point.
Most Secure Video Baby Monitors of 2024
1. VTech VM333 Video Monitor
This monitor is our favorite, not only because it is a trusted brand, but also because of what it has to offer.
With full pan, tilt and zoom controls from the parent unit allowing you to control 270 degrees of horizontal movement, 126 degrees of vertical, and 2x zoom. You can also mount it to a wall for the best vantage point.
You also have the freedom to wander your house with a range of up to 1000 feet.
The temperature and sound alerts, you can always be sure that your baby is safe and comfortable. Although reliability has been reported to be inconsistent by some users.
It can be linked with up to four cameras (additional sold separately) and includes alerts on the parent unit for temperature, out of range, and low battery to make sure you always stay connected.
Pro
- Full pan, tilt, and zoom from main unit.
- Comes equipped for wall mounting.
- Long-range (1000ft)
Con
- Temperature reading may be inaccurate.
2. Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Monitor
The camera comes with 3 lenses, including panoramic view and zoom, to allow you a crystal clear view of your child at all times.
Viewing will be easy on the large 3.5″ display – one of the largest we have found!
Pro
- Interchangeable lens.
- Wide angle view.
- Larger 3.5” display.
- Expandable to 4 cameras.
Con
- Cost
- No zoom from remote.
3. Baby Sense Video Monitor
With a long connection range of up to 900 feet, and an alert that will let you know when you are outside of that range, this monitor from Baby Sense is perfect for parents who enjoys a cup of tea and a good book on the porch while their baby is quietly snoozing.
This digital monitor also comes equipped with FHSS technology, ensuring that the connection to your baby is safe and secure.
Putting the parent unit into eco-mode turns the screen off, turning the video monitor into a sound-only monitor, saving battery life and helping you sleep better at night.
This monitor also enables two-way audio connection (equipped with talk back), a temperature gauge on the camera unit and display on the main unit, and the option to play lullabies for your baby.
The power cord is a bit short, so you will have to carefully plan your camera placement. You also cannot remotely control tilt/pan/zoom. All needs to be done via manual adjustments.
While again it is at the higher end of the price scale, it’s performance excels to meet the price tag.
Pro
- Eco-mode
- Two way communication
- Long range (900ft)
- Feature packed
Con
- Short power cord for camera
- Angle needs to be adjusted manually
4. UU Infant Night Vision Camera
There is a soft light on your camera unit that will slightly illuminate the nursery.
You can also set and minimum and maximum temperature on your device, and the main unit will alert you if the temperature in the baby’s room is outside of that range.
Unfortunately, as with most budget friendly products, there are sacrifices you will make with this model, such as a very small screen and the inability to control the camera from the main unit.
Pro
- Night light on baby monitor
- Night vision
- Temperature alerts
Con
- Manual tilt and pan
- Small screen with poor quality
5. Summer Infant 2900 Secure Baby Monitor
This monitor from Summer Infant is ideal for playrooms, as it comes with the ability to pan, scan, and zoom from the control unit, allowing you to keep an eye on your little one no matter where she is in the nursery.
The control unit comes equipped with controls for the camera, allowing remote pan, tilt, and zoom. You can also expand to additional lenses if you want to.
This one has a shorter connection range, at only 600 feet maximum…. Which is still plenty!
Pro
- Pan, scan, and zoom
- Easy to pair with additional cameras
Con
- Shorter range than others
- Shorter battery life
Can I Make Wifi Baby Monitors Hack Proof?
No matter the type of person or the motivation behind baby monitor hacking, it is obviously something that you will want to avoid at all costs.
But with the numerous options in technology and the rise in digital hacking, how do you find a baby monitor that is safe?
Analogue Vs Digital Baby Monitors
For years, baby monitors were only available in analog, working on radio frequency like a walkie-talkie.
The older analog technology has a much shorter range, which means that someone needs to be relatively close to pick up on the signal. But it was also very easy for other radios and walkie talkies to pick up the same frequency.
This could lead to interference with the signal coming through, or a complete crossover allowing for someone to listen in on what is happening inside your house.
A scary thought…
Overall, digital is much safer and more reliable. But it does have its weak points.
The signal is much stronger, allowing for better connection, and sound and video quality. Far superior to that of analog monitors.
However, electronic devices, such as wireless routers, cell phones, and microwaves, may cause interference with the signal.
Digital monitors are also often equipped with extra security measures that help prevent hacking. But we will go into this technological advancement in more detail shortly.
Dangers Of Wifi Monitors
Going beyond the capabilities of digital monitors, wi-fi capable monitors are becoming increasingly popular.
They are often compatible with mobile devices, via a free downloadable app, so that you can keep an eye on your baby when you are at work or out to dinner, leaving her with a babysitter.
But the added convenience of long distance monitoring does not make up for the added risk of potential hacking.
Despite the advertised security features on these products, there have been some major design flaws discovered in these devices.
Some have hidden, unchangeable passwords that can be found in manuals or online, allowing anyone to gain access to the video feed. Other products did not encrypt their data or video stream, making it easier for hackers to intercept the signal.
The scary fact is that the more devices you have connected through wi-fi in your home, the easier it is for these hackers to gain access to your personal information, particularly through your computer, or have a good view of your home and family through your video baby monitor.
While many wi-fi capable monitors are mostly safe, you definitely take a very big risk if you choose to use them.
FHSS Technology
As we mentioned before, many digital monitors come equipped with extra security measures, and one of these is the inclusion of frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) technology.
This is a method of transmitting data to where the signal is spread and frequency is changed at random. Making it harder for hackers to hone in on the signal and gain access.
This is a method of transmitting data to where the signal is spread and frequency is changed at random. Making it harder for hackers to hone in on the signal and gain access.
Most digital video monitors come equipped with this feature, and if you are unsure of a particular model, you can likely find it in the product description.
Choosing a monitor that utilizes FHSS technology makes it a better choice for safety in your house.
Lockdown Online Access And Change Passwords
If you do not want to solely rely on your baby monitor being secure enough to keep hackers out, you can take the next step to make your technology safer from online predators: securing your wifi network.
Be sure to have your user’s manual handy to make the most out of its security features.
Start by turning on WPA2 encryption, which is the current standard in wireless security, making your router more hacker-resistant.
You should also consider changing your wireless network’s name (SSID) and default password. Hackers have access to lists of common SSID’s and can use programs to crack passwords when these are not changed.
Changing your password to something long (roughly about 16 characters or more) also decreases the likelihood of it being cracked.
Turn Off Power When Not In Use
Finally, the simplest thing you can do to limit access to your home is to turn off your monitor when it is not in use.
No power, no wifi connection, no access.
It may be a small portion of the day that it is off, but this eliminates exposure for that time and interrupts any hacking attempt that could be underway at any one time.
Final Word
With its FHSS technology, long-range, full camera control from the main unit, and out-of-range and battery alerts, the VTech VM333 stood up as the most secure baby monitor against our criteria.
This monitor will ensure your family and their privacy is secure, and that you are never too far from your little one.
If you are still uncomfortable you can always stick to a top audio only baby monitor. We have also put together a post on this if you want to check it out.
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