Ask HN: Most secure IP video camera for expecting parents?

1 pointsplanxty8y ago4 comments

Hey HN!

My wife and I are expecting our first child and we are exploring options for baby monitors. However, the common video baby monitors seem to be a security nightmare, with stories of strangers watching live feeds of other folks' kids all over the internet.

We want to find a solution that is reasonably feature-rich, but more importantly, is highly secure. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

4 comments

jiveturkey8y ago

The problem is, you cannot know. There's no such thing as a secure, feature-rich device. If there are any that are self-updating, that's a very very good start.

Why do you need an IP camera? The kind that requires a dedicated monitor, that doesn't use IP, are "secure". Probably not uncrackable-secure, but only your near neighbors would be able to watch.

We had infant optics. It's great, the range only works within the house, multicamera, temp sensor, and more. If you put it on mute, you can watch yourself having sexy time. Not that you will ever have sexy time again.

They also have unbelievably good customer service. For a commodity baby monitor. Just superb.

detaro8y ago

Buy something from a somewhat reputable vendor that you can access over LAN, and completely block it from the internet, both directions.

jiveturkey8y ago

Then what's the point of it being IP.

Also it can be quite hard to block. I mean you have to be an expert. What happens when webRTC opens it up? Or uPNP? Yes you can block these things but you need to be savvy enough to know how. And stay on top of all the techs. As a new parent no one has time for that.

planxtyOP8y ago

Awesome, straightforward advice. Why I love HN. Thanks!

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

Ask HN: Most secure IP video camera for expecting parents?

1 pointsplanxty8y ago4 comments

Hey HN!

We want to find a solution that is reasonably feature-rich, but more importantly, is highly secure. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

4 comments

jiveturkey8y ago

The problem is, you cannot know. There's no such thing as a secure, feature-rich device. If there are any that are self-updating, that's a very very good start.

Why do you need an IP camera? The kind that requires a dedicated monitor, that doesn't use IP, are "secure". Probably not uncrackable-secure, but only your near neighbors would be able to watch.

They also have unbelievably good customer service. For a commodity baby monitor. Just superb.

detaro8y ago

Buy something from a somewhat reputable vendor that you can access over LAN, and completely block it from the internet, both directions.

jiveturkey8y ago

Then what's the point of it being IP.

planxtyOP8y ago

Awesome, straightforward advice. Why I love HN. Thanks!

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse