The Hidden Dangers of Smart Toys and Home Monitoring Devices: Protecting Your Privacy from Criminals
- Glyn MacLean
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Smart toys and home monitoring devices have become common in many households. They offer convenience, entertainment, and peace of mind. Yet, these connected gadgets can also open doors to serious privacy and security risks.
Criminals exploit vulnerabilities in devices like baby monitors, toys with cameras and microphones, and home surveillance systems to access private data.
This article explores how these breaches happen, the dangers they pose, and practical steps to protect your home.
How Criminals Exploit Connected Toys and Devices
Many smart toys and monitoring devices connect to the internet to provide features like remote viewing, voice interaction, or app control. Unfortunately, weak security measures make them targets for hackers.
Common ways criminals gain access include:
Default or weak passwords: Many devices come with factory-set passwords that users never change. Hackers scan for these defaults to break in.
Unsecured Wi-Fi networks: If your home Wi-Fi lacks strong encryption, attackers can intercept data or access connected devices.
Outdated software and firmware: Manufacturers sometimes delay security updates, leaving devices vulnerable to known exploits.
Poorly designed apps: Companion apps may have security flaws that expose login credentials or device controls.
Lack of encryption: Data sent between devices and servers may be unencrypted, allowing interception.
Once inside, criminals can watch live video feeds, listen to audio, or collect data about your routines and environment.
Reported Incidents of Privacy Breaches
Several high-profile cases have revealed the risks of connected toys and home monitoring devices:
In 2017, a hacker accessed a baby monitor in a US home and spoke to the child through the device’s speaker. The family reported the incident to authorities, highlighting the dangers of unsecured baby monitors.
A popular brand of smart dolls was found to transmit audio recordings to external servers without proper encryption, exposing children’s conversations.
Doorbell cameras and home surveillance systems have been hacked to spy on residents or stalk individuals. In some cases, attackers used the cameras to harass or intimidate homeowners.
Researchers discovered vulnerabilities in smart toys that allowed remote control of cameras and microphones, raising concerns about paedophiles exploiting these devices to spy on children.
These examples show how criminals use connected devices to invade privacy, gather sensitive information, and sometimes target vulnerable individuals.
How Paedophiles Use Data from Connected Devices
Paedophiles exploit security flaws in smart toys and monitoring devices to gain unauthorized access to children’s environments. They may:
Watch live video feeds to observe children without their knowledge.
Record audio to listen to conversations or identify routines.
Use captured data to groom or manipulate children.
Share or sell stolen footage on illegal networks.
The presence of cameras and microphones in toys and baby monitors creates new risks that did not exist with traditional toys. Criminals take advantage of these tools to bypass physical barriers and invade homes remotely.
Offenders increasingly use technology
to access children online
The eSafety Commissioner notes that online child sexual exploitation includes offenders using technology to contact, observe, or groom children.
This includes methods such as:
Gaining access to devices
Exploiting weak security
Using online platforms to observe or communicate with children
While this isn’t specifically about hacked home cameras, it confirms the broader pattern of offenders leveraging digital access.
Australian authorities are actively investigating tech‑facilitated exploitation
The Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) highlights that offenders use technology to facilitate abuse, including the production and sharing of material. This confirms a pattern of offenders using digital entry points.
Large‑scale investigations show
offenders collecting millions of files
AFP investigations have seized millions of files from offenders, indicating widespread digital exploitation activity. This demonstrates the scale of online access and surveillance behaviours.
OSINT and law‑enforcement briefings confirm this digital surveillance does occur. Below is a summary of the types of incidents that have been publicly reported over the past decade (from law‑enforcement advisories):
Common patterns include:
Compromised baby monitors due to default passwords
Hacked Wi‑Fi cameras via exposed ports or weak credentials
Compromised smart home systems through reused passwords
Access via breached cloud accounts (e.g., reused credentials from unrelated data leaks)
Documented behaviours:
Offenders gaining access to unsecured IP cameras
Speaking to children through two‑way audio
Observing children’s bedrooms or play areas
Capturing video streams for later distribution
These cases have been covered by police advisories, CERT bulletins, and mainstream media over the years.
Checklist for Securing Your Home’s Connected Devices
Protecting your family starts with securing every connected device in your home. Use this checklist to reduce risks:
Change default passwords to strong, unique ones for each device.
Enable two-factor authentication if available.
Keep device firmware and companion apps updated regularly.
Connect devices to a separate Wi-Fi network dedicated to smart gadgets.
Use strong Wi-Fi encryption (WPA3 or WPA2) and a complex router password.
Disable remote access features if you do not need them.
Turn off microphones and cameras when not in use.
Review device privacy settings and limit data sharing.
Monitor device activity logs for unusual access or behavior.
Purchase devices from reputable manufacturers with good security track records.
Avoid using devices that do not receive regular security updates.
Educate family members about the risks and safe use of connected devices.
