“A group that specializes in hacking into private cameras of families and stores in Vietnam. All the footage is dark corners and hot scenes of families,” researcher Minh Hung said on the encrypted messaging platform Telegram. I found a group that offered itself and invited them to join.
According to a report from VNexpress, members of the group are offering three different “packages” for accessing hacked footage from cameras, and their price ranges are lower than some camera retailers should be safe. It was mysteriously mimicking what I use for my cloud subscriptions.
Cheapest is 150,000 Vietnamese Dong (VND) and $6.16 / £4.84 / AU$9.14 with over 1,000 videos and random images to choose from, higher quality footage with daily content updates It cost 500,000 Vietnamese Dong ($20.53). The top tier was called “Super VIP” and cost VND800,000 ($32.84) and included four years of his hacking footage from hundreds of cameras and live access.
Frighteningly, the group proudly describes their hacking accomplishments in the tone of a privacy-invading brochure. “Our software constantly scans areas across the country. Most cameras are installed in corners of bedrooms, bathrooms, changing rooms, toilets, hotels, clothing stores, massage parlors, etc.”
According to the report, Hung tried the top tier to see if it was just a scam. I had to download an app and scan a QR code to see the live feed, but it worked, giving me access to 15 live cameras in bedrooms and clothing store changing rooms.
Although the source did not specify the brand, we know there have been incidents with major brands, including Wyze in the US, so this is not completely isolated. The best way to avoid problems is to not only configure only the best indoor cameras, but also make sure to use a strong password of your own choosing when setting up.
Of course, you can also protect your home and ensure 100% indoor privacy by simply choosing the best outdoor camera. Sure, in Vietnam you can be fined several million VND (i.e. $1,500 to $2,500) and even have the possibility of jail time if you get caught, but that clearly won’t be effective here. Of course, there was a case where a hidden camera may have saved a man from murder, so there are two sides to every argument, but it’s clear that privacy is an important issue when you consider how the video is sold. .
We also highly recommend checking out our guide to the best hidden camera detectors when visiting an unfamiliar property.
