Google is telling Nest camera owners that it's not to blame for a recent string of creepy security incidents.
The search giant, which owns Nest, sent an email to owners of its security devices telling them to reset their passwords and enable stronger account authentication settings in light of an uptick in hacked cameras.
Last month, users began reporting a number of bizarre cases, where hackers appeared to take over their Nest security cameras to hurl insults at them, spy on their sleeping baby and even tell Amazon's Alexa to play 'Despacito' by Justin Bieber.
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Google, which owns Nest, sent an email to owners of its security devices telling them to reset their passwords and enable stronger account authentication settings in light of recent events
Nest told users that the company notifies users if they detect their email was part of another website breach.
When this happens, the firm will proactively disable their Nest account as a security measure.
Other steps users can take:
Enable two-factor authentication - They'll be sent a protected code every time they sign in. Choose stronger passwords - A more secure password includes eight characters or more, as well as a combination of upper and lowercase letters, symbols and numbers. Set up a Family Account - Instead of sharing your password, share access to your home devices with a user. Be aware of phishing emails that can make your account vulnerable. Protect your home network - Make sure your router is up to date and only share login info with select users.In the email, Nest vice president Rishi Chandra explained that the recent camera 'hacks' weren't actually due to a breach in the company's own security system.
Rather, it was a result of camera owners using weak passwords and not taking advantage of the advanced security measures offered to them on their devices.
'In recent weeks, we've heard from people experiencing issues with their Nest devices,' Chandra said in the email.
'We're reaching out to assure you that Nest security has not been breached or compromised.
'...For context, even though Nest was not breached, customers may be vulnerable because their email addresses and passwords are freely available on the internet,' he continued.
Chandra said it's possible that another website where users have an account was compromised.
When this happens, hackers will try to use a person's credentials, such as an email address and password combination, to login to their other accounts.
'For example, if you use your Nest password for a shopping site account and the site is breached, your login information could end up in the wrong hands,' Chandra noted.
'From there, people with access to your credentials can cause the kind of issues we've seen recently.'
So, Chandra believes Nest owners may be recycling their login credentials across a number of different services, which hackers took notice of and used to manipulate their security camera.
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