In our latest research at Bitsight TRACE, we found over 40,000 open, publicly accessible network cameras, streaming live footage from offices, factories, medical facilities, and even private homes. We first raised the alarm in 2023, and based on this latest study, the situation hasn’t improved. These cameras — intended for security or convenience — have inadvertently become public windows into sensitive spaces, often without their owners’ knowledge.
If you have a security camera at home or manage surveillance cameras for your company, then taking the right precautions can make the difference between keeping your footage private and unintentionally broadcasting it to the world.
Read the full report to learn:
- How we found more than 40,000 exposed online cameras.
- A breakdown of the most affected countries (with the United States ranking first), as well as industry sectors.
- What these cameras are typically exposing (with some interesting examples) and why this is a serious security and privacy risk.
- How to protect yourself or your organization.
"No matter the reason why one individual or organization needs this kind of device, the fact that anyone can buy one, plug it in, and start streaming with minimal setup is likely why this is still an ongoing threat."
João Cruz Principal Research Scientist Bitsight |
