Parents are being warned to be careful when using baby monitors. If secure passwords are not being used they can be easily hacked.
A couple in Ohio shared their story back in 2015 of how they overheard a stranger talking to their 3 year old over the baby monitor.
The parents, Sarah and Jay, said that their son had told them he was afraid at night because someone was talking to him over the phone. It wasn't until they heard the voices themselves over the monitor saying "wake-up little boy, daddy's looking for you", and talking about the mothers movements in the room that they understood what their son was talking about.
As horrifying as their story is, it's not as uncommon as you would think. In 2014 the Irish Mirror released an article that said around 53 Irish baby monitors, cctv's, and webcams had been hacked. The footage from these was being broadcasted on a Russian website.
The website claimed that they were sharing the footage to show how vulnerable the systems are. They claim that what they are doing is legal. All that has to be done to get the footage removed is to change the passwords from their defaults, they claimed.
Another couple also shared their story of a similar experience from a few years back. The couple who are from Cincinnati, Ohio, heard a strangers voice over their 10 month old babies' monitor. "Wake up baby", the voice could be heard shouting.
When the mother contacted the company they revealed that it was not the first time this had happened.
People are being advised to ensure the passwords on the monitor and their wi-fi are different, as well as ensuring they are difficult to guess. Updating the devices when there are new updates available is also advised.
