Home Security Systems Can Be Used to Spy on You -- Security Today

Home Security Systems Can Be Used to Spy on You

By Matt Holden
Jul 24, 2014

Home Security Systems Can Be Used to Spy on You Your home security system isn’t as secure as you might think, and it could also be used to spy on you according to some experts in a recent article. Logan Lamb, a cybersecurity researcher at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, pointed out flaws in home systems like ADT.

The weakness in motion sensors comes from their legacy wireless communications, which are the same communications used in the 90s. Lamb could pick up signals being sent from sensors on windows and doors to the main control system and track when people were opening and closing windows and doors. With more sophisticated equipment, he could interfere with transmissions, setting of alarms by falsely telling them doors were opening when they weren’t. He could do this from 65 to 250 yards away, meaning a criminal intending to enter the house could do this to someone’s home before ever stepping foot inside of it.

Furthermore, researchers Colby Moore and Patrick Wardle from Synack have hacked Dropcam devices, which have recently been acquired by Google-owned Nest. They found that a small button on the back of the camera would allow someone to install spyware and thus surveys the audio and video of the owners. It would also allow someone to install a program that could make the owners see video of the attacker’s choosing.

Dropcam’s CEO, Greg Duffy, said that this sort of hacking is only possible if someone gains physical access to the device. His concern is remote access and hacking, something he said that Dropcam is excellent in deterring.

Lamb’s goal in all of this is to make better, safer security systems.

“The idea of covering a home with more security sensors does not translate into a more secure home,” Lamb said.

About the Author

Matt Holden is an Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media, Inc. He received his MFA and BA in journalism from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He currently writes and edits for Occupational Health & Safety magazine, and Security Today.

Featured

Overwhelming Majority of CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Over the Next Three Years

An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security. Read Now
- Cybersecurity
ASIS International Introduces New ANSI-Approved Investigations Standard
- Guard Services
Cloud Security Alliance Brings AI-Assisted Auditing to Cloud Computing

The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment, today introduced an innovative addition to its suite of Security, Trust, Assurance and Risk (STAR) Registry assessments with the launch of Valid-AI-ted, an AI-powered, automated validation system. The new tool provides an automated quality check of assurance information of STAR Level 1 self-assessments using state-of-the-art LLM technology. Read Now
- Cybersecurity
Report: Nearly 1 in 5 Healthcare Leaders Say Cyberattacks Have Impacted Patient Care

Omega Systems, a provider of managed IT and security services, today released new research that reveals the growing impact of cybersecurity challenges on leading healthcare organizations and patient safety. According to the 2025 Healthcare IT Landscape Report, 19% of healthcare leaders say a cyberattack has already disrupted patient care, and more than half (52%) believe a fatal cyber-related incident is inevitable within the next five years. Read Now
- Cybersecurity
AI Is Now the Leading Cybersecurity Concern for Security, IT Leaders

Arctic Wolf recently published findings from its State of Cybersecurity: 2025 Trends Report, offering insights from a global survey of more than 1,200 senior IT and cybersecurity decision-makers across 15 countries. Conducted by Sapio Research, the report captures the realities, risks, and readiness strategies shaping the modern security landscape. Read Now
- Cybersecurity

Security Today eNews

Sign up today for essential industry news and product information that can help you stay afloat in the fast-paced world of security.

Email Address*Country*

Please type the letters/numbers you see above.

Webinars

Whitepapers

New Products

QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.
Mobile Safe Shield

SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.
ResponderLink

Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.