Can Baby Monitors Be Hacked? What Every Parent Needs to know

You’re lying in bed, finally catching a few hours of rest, trusting that the glowing screen on your nightstand is keeping a quiet eye on your baby. It feels safe. It feels modern. But what if someone else was watching too?

It sounds like something out of a thriller movie, but baby monitor hacking is a real and documented threat that has made headlines around the world. In 2018, a Washington couple heard a strange voice coming through their baby monitor telling their infant to “wake up.” In 2019, a family in South Carolina reported their camera moving on its own and a voice saying threatening things to their child. These aren’t isolated incidents — they’re a glimpse into a vulnerability that millions of parents are unknowingly exposed to every single night.

Security researchers have repeatedly flagged smart baby monitors as some of the most vulnerable Internet of Things (IoT) devices in the home. A 2021 report by the Federal Trade Commission highlighted that many connected home devices, including baby monitors, ship with weak default credentials and poor encryption standards — creating an open door for malicious actors.

So, can baby monitors be hacked? The honest answer is yes — but the good news is that with the right knowledge and a few practical steps, you can dramatically reduce your risk. This guide will walk you through exactly how baby monitor hacking happens, which types of monitors are safest, how to lock yours down tight, and what warning signs to look for if something feels off.

Section 1: How Baby Monitor Hacking Happens

Understanding baby monitor security starts with understanding the attack. Hackers don’t need to be sitting outside your window. With the right tools, they can access a vulnerable baby monitor from anywhere in the world. Here’s how it typically happens.

Unsecured WiFi Networks and Weak Router Passwords

Most WiFi-connected baby monitors communicate through your home router. If your router is using outdated security protocols like WEP, or if you’ve never changed the default router admin password, you’ve essentially left the front door unlocked. Hackers scan for vulnerable networks using freely available tools, and once they’re on your network, reaching your baby monitor is often the easy part.

Default Monitor Passwords That Never Get Changed

This is one of the most common causes of baby monitor hacking. Manufacturers often ship devices with simple default credentials like “admin/admin” or “user/1234.” These defaults are publicly listed in product manuals — which are often available online for anyone to find. If you never change these credentials after setup, you’ve left your device open to anyone who knows where to look.

Unencrypted Data Streams

Some lower-quality monitors transmit their audio and video feeds without proper encryption. This means the data traveling between the camera and your viewing device is readable by anyone who intercepts it — like a postcard anyone can read rather than a sealed letter. Without encryption, a hacker on the same network (or even a neighboring network in an apartment building) can capture and view your monitor’s feed.

Cloud Server Vulnerabilities

Many modern baby monitors don’t just send footage to your phone — they route it through a manufacturer’s cloud server first. This adds convenience (you can check in from anywhere), but it also introduces a new point of failure. If the manufacturer’s servers are poorly secured, experience a data breach, or are taken offline, your footage and account credentials could be exposed. Several major brands have faced exactly this scenario in recent years.

How a Hack Happens: Step-by-Step

• Step 1 — Target Identification: A hacker scans the internet using tools like Shodan, which indexes publicly visible connected devices. Baby monitors with weak security often appear in these searches.
• Step 2 — Credential Attack: The hacker attempts to log in using default usernames and passwords, or runs an automated brute-force attack on common combinations.
• Step 3 — Network Infiltration: If the home WiFi is unsecured, the hacker gains access to the router and can reach any device on that network, including the baby monitor.
• Step 4 — Stream Access: Once inside, the hacker can view the live feed, listen through the microphone, and in some cases, move a pan-tilt camera remotely.
• Step 5 — Persistent Access: Without being detected, the hacker can maintain access indefinitely, especially if the firmware is never updated to patch known vulnerabilities.

Section 2: Which Baby Monitors Are Safest?

Not all baby monitors carry the same level of risk. Understanding the differences between monitor types is one of the most important steps in improving your baby monitor security. Let’s break them down.

Non-WiFi and DECT Monitors — The Safest Option

DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) monitors and other radio-frequency models don’t connect to the internet at all. They use a dedicated, short-range radio signal between the camera unit and the parent unit. Because they never touch your WiFi network or the internet, they are nearly impossible to hack remotely. A bad actor would need to be physically nearby with specialized radio equipment to intercept the signal — and even then, most DECT monitors use frequency hopping that makes interception extremely difficult.

If privacy and baby monitor security are your top priorities, a non-WiFi model is the gold standard. The trade-off is that you can’t check in remotely when you’re away from home.

Local-Network WiFi Monitors

These monitors connect to your home WiFi but keep the video feed local — meaning the footage only travels within your home network and streams directly to your phone or tablet on the same network. They don’t route through an external cloud server. This makes them significantly safer than cloud-connected models, as long as your home network itself is properly secured. They offer some of the convenience of smart monitors while reducing your exposure to external threats.

Cloud-Connected Monitors — Convenience vs. Risk

Cloud-connected monitors are the most popular type on the market today. They let you stream live footage to your smartphone from anywhere in the world, receive motion alerts, and often integrate with smart home systems. However, this convenience comes with the highest security risk. Your footage passes through third-party servers, your account credentials become a target, and you’re dependent on the manufacturer maintaining strong server-side security — something that isn’t always guaranteed.

That doesn’t mean you should never use one — it means you need to take extra precautions, which we’ll cover in the next section.

Baby Monitor Security Comparison Table

Monitor Type	Hack Risk	Privacy Level	Remote Access
Non-WiFi / DECT	Very Low	Very High	No
Local WiFi (No Cloud)	Low–Medium	High	Limited
Cloud-Connected WiFi	Medium–High	Lower	Yes (Full)

Section 3: 7 Steps to Secure Your Baby Monitor

Whether you already own a WiFi monitor or are shopping for one, these steps will help you dramatically improve your baby monitor security and reduce the risk of unauthorized access. Think of this as your home security checklist for the nursery.

1. Change the Default Password Immediately

The very first thing you should do when setting up any baby monitor is change the default login credentials. Create a strong, unique password that includes a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Never use the same password you use for other accounts. If your monitor has a separate app login and a device admin panel, change both passwords.

2. Keep Firmware Updated

Manufacturers regularly release firmware updates to patch security vulnerabilities. These updates are your monitor’s best defense against newly discovered threats. Check your monitor’s app or settings panel regularly for available updates, and enable automatic updates if the option is available. Don’t ignore those update notifications — they matter more than most people realize.

3. Use WPA3 Encryption on Your Router

Log into your router settings and make sure you’re using WPA3 encryption (or at minimum WPA2). WPA3 is the current gold standard for WiFi security and significantly reduces the risk of someone breaking into your network. If your router doesn’t support WPA3, it may be time to consider an upgrade — routers more than five years old often lack important modern security features.

4. Set Up a Separate IoT Network

Many modern routers allow you to create a guest or secondary network. Put your baby monitor and other smart home devices on this separate network, away from your phones, laptops, and computers. This way, even if a hacker gains access to your monitor’s network, they can’t use it as a stepping stone to reach your personal devices or sensitive data.

5. Disable Remote Access When You Don’t Need It

If you’re home for the week and don’t need to check the camera from your office, turn off remote access in your monitor’s settings. Many cloud-connected monitors allow you to toggle this on and off through the app. Reducing the times your monitor is exposed to the open internet is one of the simplest and most effective ways to limit your risk.

6. Check for Data Breach Alerts

Sign up for a service like Have I Been Pwned to get notified if your email address or associated passwords appear in a known data breach. If your monitor account credentials are ever exposed, you’ll want to know immediately so you can change your password and secure your account before someone else takes advantage.

7. Consider Switching to a Non-WiFi Model

If you’ve gone through these steps and still feel uneasy about your monitor’s security — or if you simply don’t need remote access features — switching to a DECT or analog monitor is always a valid choice. Many non-WiFi models offer excellent audio and video quality with none of the internet-related vulnerabilities. Peace of mind has real value.

Section 4: Signs Your Baby Monitor May Be Compromised

Even with the best precautions in place, it’s smart to know the warning signs of a potential breach. If you notice any of the following, take action immediately: change your passwords, disconnect the monitor from your network, and investigate further.

Unexpected Camera Movements

If you have a pan-tilt monitor and you notice the camera moving on its own — shifting direction without you controlling it — that’s a serious red flag. Camera movement is one of the most commonly reported signs in documented baby monitor hacking cases. It means someone else may have remote control access to your device.

Strange Noises or Voices Through the Speaker

Hearing unfamiliar sounds, music, or voices coming from your baby monitor when no one else is home is alarming — and unfortunately, it’s exactly what several families have reported in confirmed hacking incidents. If this happens, disconnect the monitor immediately.

Unusual Data Usage on Your Network

A baby monitor that’s been compromised may be transmitting data constantly — including to a hacker’s remote server. Check your router’s data usage logs. If your monitor is using significantly more data than usual, especially during overnight hours, it’s worth investigating whether something unexpected is happening.

Unfamiliar Devices on Your Router’s Connected List

Log into your router’s admin panel periodically and review the list of connected devices. If you see any device you don’t recognize, especially one that wasn’t there before, it could indicate that someone has gained unauthorized access to your network. Remove unknown devices and change your WiFi password immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can non-WiFi baby monitors be hacked?

Non-WiFi baby monitors, including DECT models, are extremely difficult to hack. Because they don’t connect to the internet, they cannot be accessed remotely by hackers. The only theoretical risk is someone nearby using specialized radio equipment to intercept the signal, but this is rare and technically challenging. For the highest level of security, non-WiFi monitors are the safest choice.

Which baby monitor brands have the best security?

Brands that use end-to-end encryption, require strong passwords during setup, offer regular firmware updates, and have transparent privacy policies tend to rank highest for security. Eufy, Nanit, and Infant Optics are frequently cited for their attention to security features. That said, no brand is immune, and your own security practices matter just as much as the brand you choose.

How do I know if my baby monitor has been hacked?

The most common signs include unexplained camera movements, strange voices or sounds coming through the speaker, unfamiliar devices showing up on your router’s connected list, and unusual spikes in network data usage. If you suspect your monitor has been compromised, disconnect it immediately, change all related passwords, and consider resetting the device to factory settings.

Are video baby monitors safer than audio-only?

Audio-only monitors generally carry less risk simply because they transmit less data and are less likely to be internet-connected. However, the safety of any monitor comes down more to its connectivity type than whether it has a camera. A non-WiFi video monitor is far safer than a cloud-connected audio monitor. Focus on the connection type first when evaluating security.

Should I put a cover over my baby monitor camera?

It’s not a bad idea, especially during periods when you’re not actively using it — like when you’re in the room with your baby. Many parents use a simple camera cover or even a piece of tape when the monitor isn’t needed. It’s a low-tech solution, but it provides a layer of privacy assurance that no software vulnerability can bypass.

Take the Next Step Toward a Safer Nursery

The thought of someone watching your baby through a hacked monitor is unsettling — but knowledge is your most powerful tool. Now that you understand how baby monitor hacking works, which monitors carry the most risk, and exactly how to lock your setup down, you’re in a far stronger position than most parents.

If you’re considering making a switch to a safer option, check out our in-depth guide to the Best Non-WiFi Baby Monitors — we’ve reviewed and ranked the top DECT and analog models that offer excellent performance without the security trade-offs.

And if you want a simple, printable checklist to make sure your current monitor is as secure as possible, sign up for our newsletter below. We’ll send you our Baby Monitor Safety Checklist straight to your inbox — along with practical parenting tips delivered regularly, no spam, ever.