PETALING JAYA, Nov 14 — Customers are up in arms with their security solution providers for not informing them their closed-circuit televisions (CCTV) can be easily hacked into. 

Malay Mail office was inundated with calls from angry and frustrated people who were shocked to learn that live CCTV footage in their homes can be easily available online.

This comes following a Malay Mail expose yesterday which revealed surveillance footages from hundreds of CCTVs installed in homes and business premises in Malaysia were being streamed live at surveillance website Insecam.com.

Balvinder Kaur, 44, a housewife from Balakong, said she was not informed by her CCTV solution provider on the necessity to change the login credential.

“I installed two cameras in my house three years ago but the CCTV solution provider had never stressed on the need to change the username and password to check on surveillance footage from my mobile phone or laptop,” she said.

“I am using a generic login and it gave me goosebumps knowing my privacy could be infringed when the main intention of the CCTV setup was to safeguard loved ones.”

She said even her husband had CCTVs installed in his office from the same company and he too is worried about footages being viewed by others.

“I contacted the company which installed the cameras and they assured they would create a more secure login for us.

“But I am considering lodging a police report if they do not address the matter.”

Businessman Arwinder Singh, 30, who has a CCTV setup at his home, was appalled and furious he was not forewarned there could be the possibility of privacy infringement issues. 

“I am planning to lodge a police report on the matter as I do not feel secured as anyone, including criminals, could be preying into my private life.

“I am not able to tell which criminal or ill intender is already privy to or would be able to hack into my home surveillance footage to cause something untoward,” he said. 

Lee Chi Leong, a 37-year-old clerk from Jalan Loke Yew, said he had changed the username and password only once after he installed the system in his home three years ago. 

“I was assured by the solution provider that the CCTV system installed is of the best quality and I never knew it could be easily hacked. 

“Although I am not using the admin login, I think I will have to change it again,” he said.  Syahrudan Mohammad, a restaurant owner from Puchong, said she decided to install the system in her home to keep an eye on her children, who are under the care of her maid.

“I got a reputable company to install the system and the solution provider changed the password upon installation,” said the 36-year-old, who monitors her CCTV’s footages from her mobile phone.

She suggested that everyone do the same and change their passwords during installation.

“This will save time and the risk of getting hacked.”