Better passwords required by gov’t for IP cameras

Manufacturers, retailers or importers of internet protocol cameras (IP cameras) will have to differentiate initial passwords for the cameras and make customers change the passwords prior to initial use to keep strangers from getting access to them, according to guidelines by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Communications Commission on Tuesday.

While IP cameras are widely used in homes or shops for surveillance, their connections to the internet were rarely secure. Common passwords such as “0000” or “1234” made them vulnerable to hacking. Hackers could access and redistribute videos of private life online.

According to the Science Ministry, changing passwords could prevent such hacking of cameras.

The ministry also decided to check IP cameras already being sold to make sure they meet security standards.

By Kim Jee-hee