{"id":54961,"date":"2025-12-11T10:15:37","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T15:15:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/?p=54961"},"modified":"2025-12-11T14:20:24","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T19:20:24","slug":"south-korea-120000-ip-cameras-hacked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/south-korea-120000-ip-cameras-hacked\/54961\/","title":{"rendered":"Korean-style webcam breach: 120 000 IP cameras hacked"},"content":{"rendered":"

South Korean law enforcement has arrested four suspects linked to the breach of approximately 120\u00a0000 IP cameras<\/a> installed in private homes and commercial spaces \u2014 including karaoke lounges, pilates studios, and a gynecology clinic<\/a>. Two of the hackers sold sexually explicit footage from the cameras through a foreign adult website. In this post, we explain what IP cameras are, and where their vulnerabilities lie. We also dive into the details of the South Korea incident and share practical advice on how to avoid becoming a target for attackers hunting for intimate video content.<\/p>\n

How do IP cameras work?<\/h2>\n

An IP camera is a video camera connected to the internet via the Internet Protocol (IP)<\/a>, which lets you view its feed remotely on a smartphone or computer. Unlike traditional CCTV surveillance systems<\/a>, these cameras don\u2019t require a local surveillance hub \u2014 like you see in the movies \u2014 or even a dedicated computer to be plugged into. An IP camera streams video directly in real time to any device that connects to it over the internet. Most of today\u2019s IP camera manufacturers also offer optional cloud storage plans, letting you access recorded footage from anywhere in the world.<\/p>\n

In recent years, IP cameras have surged in popularity to become ubiquitous, serving a wide range of purposes \u2014 from monitoring kids and pets at home to securing warehouses, offices, short-term rental apartments<\/a> (often illegally), and small businesses. Basic models can be picked up online for as little as US$25\u201340.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>

You can find a Full HD IP camera on an online marketplace for under US$25 \u2014 affordable prices have made them incredibly popular for both home and small business use<\/p><\/div>\n

One of the defining features of IP cameras is that they\u2019re originally designed for remote access. The camera connects to the internet and silently accepts incoming connections \u2014 ready to stream video to anyone who knows its address and has the password. And this leads to two common problems with these devices.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Default passwords.<\/strong> IP camera owners often keep the simple default usernames and passwords that come preconfigured on the device.<\/li>\n
  2. Vulnerabilities in outdated software.<\/strong> Software updates for cameras often require manual intervention: you need to log in to the administration interface, check for an update, and install it yourself. Many users simply skip this altogether. Worse, updates might not even exist \u2014 many camera vendors ignore security and drop support right after the sale.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    What happened in South Korea?<\/h2>\n

    Let\u2019s rewind to what unfolded this fall in South Korea. Law-enforcement authorities reported a breach of roughly 120\u00a0000 IP cameras, and the arrest of four suspects in connection with the attacks. Here\u2019s what we know about each of them<\/a>.<\/p>\n