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40,000 Security Cameras Exposed: Hospitals, ATMs, and Baby Monitors at Risk
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Last Updated: Jun 22, 2025
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Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Content Manager
More than 40,000 security cameras around the world—including baby monitors, hospital cameras, and bird feeders—are exposed to the internet, putting private footage at risk of being viewed or misused by anyone online.
In a rush? Here are the quick facts:
- Over 40,000 cameras worldwide are exposed to the internet.
- Footage includes hospitals, ATMs, homes, and public transport systems.
- Many devices are accessible without hacking—default passwords remain unchanged.
More than 40,000 security cameras around the world—including baby monitors, hospital cameras, and bird feeders—are exposed to the internet, putting private footage at risk of being viewed or misused by anyone online, as first reported by 404 Media.
As explained in a new report from cybersecurity company BitSight, many of these devices can be accessed without any hacking skills at all. “It doesn’t take elite hacking to access these cameras,” the company said in a press release, as reported by 404 Media. “In most cases, a regular web browser and a curious mind are all it takes,” BitSight added.
BitSight researchers accessed footage from thousands of public and private systems, including ATMs, offices, and homes. In many cases, the data was also found shared and sold on the dark web.“
The most concerning examples found were cameras in hospitals or clinics monitoring patients,” said João Cruz, a lead researcher at BitSight, as reported by 404 Media. João added that “posing a significant privacy risk due to the highly sensitive nature of the footage.”
The risk goes beyond embarrassment—exposed cameras can help burglars plan break-ins, allow “shoulder surfing” to steal data, or even aid espionage, as noted by 404 Media.
One major reason for this vulnerability is the use of default logins, which are easily found online. BitSight didn’t use any brute-force attacks in its research, but Cruz believes the real number of exposed devices could be even higher, as reported by 404 Media.
Experts recommend users check devices, change factory-set passwords, and carefully read setup guides before connecting any camera to the internet. As Cruz warned, “Knowing the real number is practically impossible,” due to the huge variety of camera brands and models in circulation.
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