How To Secure A WiFi-Enabled SLR From Hackers

Modern-day advancements in technology have undoubtedly made our lives easier.

For instance, in our post on the ‘Best Smartwatches That Simplify Your Life 2022’, we discussed how smartwatches allow users to take and make calls via Bluetooth. Indeed, Bluetooth and WiFi have revolutionized the way we do a lot of things, including taking pictures. There are multiple WiFi-enabled SLRs among the cameras on Adorama, meaning they can transfer images to a PC so long as you’re connected to the Internet – no wires and no fuss. The Nikon D850 and Minolta M35Z are just a few models with built-in WiFi capability and fast transfer speeds. Although this feature has resulted in efficient photo sharing, it has also exposed many users to ransomware threats. When your SLR is WiFi-enabled, hackers can wirelessly steal photos or upload their own images into your device.

To help you avoid these risks in security, we’ve listed down four important tips you should follow:

Avoid connecting to a PC that uses unsecured networks

When you’re not at home but want to upload photos immediately, it’s not uncommon to utilize unsecured networks like public WiFi hotspots. However, connecting your camera to a PC that uses an unsecured network can increase the risks of hacking. For one, malicious hotspots (also known as rogue access points) can trick you into giving entry to your personal photos. We suggest deploying a VPN for your PC or laptop to prevent this. VPNs can help hide your IP address and WiFi activity, ensuring privacy while transferring important images.

Change the default router login credentials

An article about attacking routers on ResearchGate illustrates they are the most vulnerable point of a network that hackers can prey upon. This is why it’s necessary to keep attackers from directly accessing your router settings. We recommend changing the admin name and password of your router regularly. This way, the transfer process from your SLR to your PC can be conducted safely. But you can also observe if your router is under attack when there’s a surge in traffic unrelated to your image uploads. You can contact your service provider or a content delivery network (CDN) when you detect suspicious activity. A CDN can help monitor the attack and assist in retrieving your photos in case you lose them.

Turn on your PC’s firewall and WiFi encryption

Jumping off of the last point, aside from changing your default router settings, you should also invest in a robust firewall that can prevent ransomware threats. Before connecting your camera to your home WiFi, ensure strong WiFi encryption. This protocol keeps others from eavesdropping on the data sent between your router and SLR. You can also opt to enable two-factor authentication for your network. If you do this, you’ll be required to input a password and a secondary code here. The additional step in security can boost protection for your WiFi and SLR camera.

Download your camera’s relevant firmware updates

Vulnerabilities in firmware can abet a hacker’s access to your device. Firmware updates are crucial in that they can patch security flaws for your SLR. In an article by TechAdvisory, it’s shown that security patches can block openings in the software. This can protect your camera from attacks that can infiltrate your photos or remotely control the device. If you want to stay updated, you can check the websites of your camera’s brand for updates. Canon has a section on their site that lets you download the official firmware for your SLR.

Cameras provide us with opportunities to capture and preserve experiences. As such, it’s best to be mindful of the threats that can harm your data. Being smart with outside networks, securing your own home internet, and regularly updating your camera’s firmware can help protect your photos from being hacked.

Also Read: How To Clean The Smartphone Camera