Flaw in home security cameras exposes live feeds

A security flaw in web-connected home security cameras made by Trendnet, which distributes in Australia, is allowing internet users to spy on the private video feeds of thousands.

Trendnet, a US company, issued an update to fix the flaw on February 6 but it requires owners of the cameras to take action, which has led to some speculating that many will not install the fix unless they are made aware of the flaws.

That speculation may well turn out to be true as links to thousands of live video feeds that are claimed to remain vulnerable have been posted on internet message boards such as 4chan and Reddit in recent weeks. The security hole, which was revealed nearly a month ago by a blog called Console Cowboys, allows for real-time online access to the cameras without the need for a password.