Shocker! 1.2L home-cameras hacked in South Korea for sexual content
What's the story
Four individuals were arrested in South Korea for hacking over 120,000 home and business video cameras. The suspects allegedly used the footage to create sexually exploitative content for an overseas website. The police said the accused exploited vulnerabilities in Internet Protocol (IP) cameras, such as weak passwords. These IP cameras are cheaper alternatives to CCTV and are usually installed for security or monitoring purposes.
Hacking spree
Locations of hacked cameras and individual operations
The locations of the hacked cameras included private residences, karaoke rooms, a Pilates studio, and a gynecologist's clinic. According to South Korea's National Police Agency, the four suspects operated independently and did not conspire together. One suspect is accused of hacking 63,000 cameras and producing 545 sexually exploitative videos that he sold for virtual assets worth 35 million won ($12,235). Another suspect allegedly hacked 70,000 cameras selling 648 videos for assets worth 18 million won.
Legal measures
Police action and website shutdown
The two suspects were behind nearly 62% of the videos uploaded in the last year on a site that illegally distributed IP camera hacking footage. The police are now trying to block and shut down this website while working with foreign agencies to investigate its operator. They have also arrested three people suspected of having bought and viewed content through this site.
Cybercrime impact
Police emphasize seriousness of IP camera hacking
Park Woo-hyun, a cyber investigation chief at the National Police Agency, stressed that IP camera hacking and illegal filming cause immense suffering to victims. He said these are serious offenses that will be eradicated through vigorous investigations. The authorities have visited/notified victims at 58 locations about the incident and advised them on changing passwords. They are also assisting victims in deleting and blocking the content while trying to identify others who may have been affected.