Internet-connected cameras made in China may be used to spy on US infrastructure: DHS The cameras usually lack data encryption and communicate with the manufacturer.

abcnews.go.com ^ | February 6, 2025, | Josh Margolin, Aaron Katersky, and Meredith Deliso

[daniel1212]

Internet-connected cameras made in China are giving the Chinese government the ability to "conduct espionage or disrupt US critical infrastructure," according to a Department of Homeland Security bulletin obtained by ABC News.

The cameras typically lack data encryption and security settings and, by default, communicate with their manufacturer. It's believed there are tens of thousands of Chinese-made cameras on the networks of critical U.S. infrastructure entities, including within the chemical and energy sectors, the bulletin said.

Chinese cyber-operatives have previously exploited internet-connected cameras.. the DHS warns.

"A cyber actor could leverage cameras placed on IT networks for initial access and pivot to other devices to exfiltrate sensitive process data that an actor could use for attack planning or disrupting business systems,".... "A cyber actor could use cameras placed on safety systems to suppress alarms, trigger false alarms, or pivot to disable fail-safe mechanisms."

So far, China has successfully kept U.S. regulators from blocking the use of internet-connected cameras made in China through the use of a practice known as "white labeling," where the cameras are imported after they're packaged and sold by another company,..

An estimated 12,000 Chinese-made internet-connected cameras were in use at hundreds of critical U.S. infrastructure entities as of early 2024, according to the bulletin.

[BenLurkin]

[GOPJ]

We're going to find out just how stupid we've been about what we've bought from China - and what industries we've handed them.

[GOPJ]

We're going to find out just how stupid we've been about what we've bought from China - and how stupid we've been with what industries we've handed them.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

You may be correct about that. All they’ll see on mine are chicken coops and my front yard. Nothing to see, but takes up their time.

[old school]

I got a free one as a promotion and have never used it. I don’t deliberately buy anything “made in China” if I can help it. That’s been my practice for decades!

[minnesota_bound]

I watched some youtube video comparing dash cams and they said the majority are made by the same manufacturer in China with the same sensor and software with just a different form factor.

Wyze security camera is sold as Wyze and as a separate branded Roku in Walmart and Home Depot brand and I imagine others. Wyze itself looks to be a Chinese company.

Search: A joke on Reddit Wyzecam forum, is that Wyze takes a product brochure from Xiaomi, and throws darts at it, to determine their next product.

[Darksheare]

Lenovo laptops.

[spincaster]

I aimed my Chinese mini cam at the inside of my toilet.i wink at them everyday.

[GOPJ]

All they’ll see on mine are chicken coops and my front yard. Nothing to see, but takes up their time.

LOL - good one - and you're right. It'll take up time.