Can Arlo Camera Be Hacked Here Is What You Need to Know

Yes, Arlo cameras can be hacked if security measures are neglected, but the risk is significantly reduced when you use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication. Arlo’s encrypted cloud storage and regular firmware updates further protect your devices from most common cyber threats.

Key Takeaways

• Arlo cameras can be hacked if default passwords remain unchanged—always update them.
• Enable two-factor authentication for an added layer of account security.
• Keep firmware updated to patch vulnerabilities and prevent exploits.
• Avoid public Wi-Fi for camera access to reduce exposure to threats.
• Monitor account activity regularly for unauthorized logins or changes.
• Use strong, unique passwords to minimize the risk of brute-force attacks.

Can Arlo Camera Be Hacked? Here’s What You Need to Know

Imagine this: You’ve set up your Arlo camera system to keep an eye on your home, kids, or pets. You feel safe knowing your property is under constant surveillance. One day, you check the app and notice something odd—your camera is pointing in a different direction, or you see unfamiliar faces in the footage. Your heart skips a beat. Could your Arlo camera be hacked?

You’re not alone in asking this question. As smart home security devices become more popular, so do concerns about their vulnerability to hacking. Arlo, a well-known brand in the home security space, has millions of users worldwide. While the company invests heavily in security, no system is 100% immune to threats. The good news? Most hacking risks can be mitigated with the right knowledge and precautions. In this article, we’ll dive into the real risks, how hacking happens, and—most importantly—what you can do to protect your Arlo cameras.

Understanding How Arlo Cameras Work (And Where Vulnerabilities Lie)

Before we talk about hacking, let’s break down how Arlo cameras function. This helps us understand where the weak spots might be.

How Arlo Cameras Communicate

Arlo cameras are part of a smart home ecosystem. They connect to your Wi-Fi network, either directly or through a base station, and stream video to the Arlo app on your smartphone or tablet. The footage is stored in the cloud (with a subscription) or locally (on a microSD card, depending on the model).

Here’s the flow:

• Camera → Wi-Fi → Arlo Cloud → Your Device (App)
• Your Device → App → Arlo Cloud → Camera (for commands)

This chain of communication is where potential risks emerge. If any link in this chain is compromised, your camera could be hacked.

Common Attack Vectors

Hackers don’t always need to break into your camera directly. They can exploit:

• Weak Wi-Fi security: If your home network is unsecured or uses outdated encryption (like WEP), hackers can intercept data or gain access to connected devices.
• Phishing attacks: Fake emails or texts trick you into giving away your Arlo account login.
• Outdated firmware: Old software may have unpatched security flaws.
• Weak passwords: Reusing passwords or using simple ones (like “123456”) makes accounts easy targets.
• Third-party app integrations: Connecting your Arlo to other apps (like IFTTT) can introduce vulnerabilities if those apps aren’t secure.

Real-life example: In 2018, a security researcher found a flaw in Arlo’s API that could let hackers access user data. Arlo quickly patched it, but it showed how even big brands can have blind spots.

Real Cases of Arlo Cameras Being Hacked (What Went Wrong?)

Let’s look at actual incidents to understand how hacking happens—and how it could have been prevented.

Case 1: The “Siri Hack” (2017)

A family in the U.S. reported that their Arlo camera started speaking through Siri on their Apple devices. The hacker used voice commands to access the camera feed, even playing music and making threatening remarks. The issue? The family had connected Arlo to their smart home system but hadn’t enabled two-factor authentication (2FA). The hacker likely gained access through a compromised Apple ID or phishing attack.

Lesson: Always enable 2FA, especially when integrating devices with voice assistants.

Case 2: The “Default Password” Incident

A hacker group exploited Arlo cameras that still used the default login credentials (often “admin/admin”) after setup. They accessed live feeds and even manipulated camera settings. These cameras were often in businesses or homes where the owner never changed the password.

Lesson: Change default passwords immediately after setup. It’s the simplest and most effective step.

Case 3: The “Cloud Account Breach” (2020)

Arlo reported a phishing campaign targeting users. Hackers sent fake emails claiming to be from Arlo, asking users to “verify” their accounts. Those who clicked the links entered their credentials, giving hackers full access to their camera feeds and cloud storage.

Lesson: Never click on links in unsolicited emails. Arlo will never ask for your password via email.

Case 4: The “Firmware Flaw” (2021)

A security firm discovered a vulnerability in older Arlo models where outdated firmware allowed remote code execution. Hackers could take control of the camera without needing the user’s password.

Lesson: Regularly check for and install firmware updates. Enable automatic updates if available.

These cases show that most hacking incidents aren’t due to “Arlo being bad”—they’re due to user oversights (weak passwords, no 2FA, outdated software). The good news? You can prevent almost all of these.

How to Protect Your Arlo Camera from Being Hacked

Now for the part you’ve been waiting for: How to keep your Arlo cameras safe. Think of this as your security checklist.

1. Strengthen Your Wi-Fi Network

Your Wi-Fi is the first line of defense. Here’s how to secure it:

• Use WPA3 encryption: If your router supports it, switch to WPA3. Otherwise, use WPA2 with a strong password.
• Change your Wi-Fi password: Use a 12+ character password with letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid personal info (like your address or pet’s name).
• Set up a guest network: Keep your Arlo cameras on a separate network from your personal devices. This limits exposure if a device on your main network is compromised.

Tip: Use a password manager (like Bitwarden or 1Password) to generate and store strong passwords.

2. Secure Your Arlo Account

• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): This adds an extra layer. When you log in, you’ll need a code from your phone or an authenticator app. Go to Arlo app → Settings → Profile → Two-Step Verification.
• Use a unique password: Never reuse passwords across sites. A password breach on one site could expose your Arlo account.
• Review login activity: Check your Arlo app for unrecognized logins. If you see anything suspicious, change your password immediately.

3. Keep Firmware Updated

• Arlo pushes firmware updates automatically, but it’s good to check manually:
  1. Open the Arlo app.
  2. Go to Settings → Device Info → Firmware Version.
  3. If an update is available, install it.
• Enable automatic updates: This ensures you’re always protected against the latest threats.

4. Limit Third-Party Integrations

• Only connect your Arlo to trusted apps (like Google Home or Apple Home). Avoid obscure or unverified services.
• Review app permissions: Remove access to apps you no longer use.

5. Physically Secure Your Cameras

• Place cameras out of reach: If someone can touch your camera, they might reset it or tamper with the SD card.
• Use tamper-proof mounts: These make it harder to steal or disable the camera.

6. Monitor for Unusual Activity

• Check your camera feed regularly. Look for:
  • Strange movements (e.g., camera tilting on its own).
  • Unrecognized devices in the app.
  • Alerts at odd times (e.g., motion detected when you’re home).
• Set up activity zones to reduce false alerts and focus on high-risk areas.

Real-life tip: A friend of mine noticed his Arlo camera was “glitching” at night. He checked the app and found a login from a foreign country. He changed his password and enabled 2FA—problem solved.

What to Do If Your Arlo Camera Is Hacked

Don’t panic. If you suspect your camera has been hacked, act fast.

Step 1: Disconnect the Camera

Unplug the camera or remove its batteries. This cuts off the hacker’s access immediately.

Step 2: Change Your Passwords

• Change your Arlo account password.
• Change your Wi-Fi password.
• If you use the same password elsewhere, change those too.

Step 3: Factory Reset the Camera

1. Press and hold the reset button (usually on the bottom) for 10 seconds.
2. Re-set up the camera from scratch, using new credentials.

Step 4: Contact Arlo Support

Report the incident to Arlo. They may help investigate or provide security advice. Include:

• Date and time of the hack.
• What you observed (e.g., “camera pointed at my front door”).
• Any suspicious login activity.

Step 5: Check for Other Breaches

• Scan your devices for malware.
• Monitor your email and bank accounts for unusual activity.
• Consider a credit freeze if you suspect identity theft.

Step 6: Learn and Adapt

Review what went wrong. Did you skip 2FA? Use a weak password? Update your security practices to prevent future incidents.

Arlo’s Built-In Security Features (And Their Limitations)

Arlo isn’t sitting idly by. The company has several security features to protect users—but they’re not perfect.

What Arlo Does Well

• End-to-end encryption: Video feeds are encrypted in transit and at rest (for cloud storage).
• Automatic firmware updates: Most models update automatically.
• Two-factor authentication: Available for all users.
• Activity logs: You can see when and where your account was accessed.
• Regular security audits: Arlo works with third-party firms to test for vulnerabilities.

Where Arlo Falls Short

• No local storage encryption: If you use a microSD card, the footage isn’t encrypted. A thief could remove the card and view your videos.
• No built-in VPN: Your camera’s connection relies on your home network’s security.
• Delayed patching: Some firmware updates take weeks to roll out to all devices.
• User education: Arlo’s setup guides don’t always emphasize security (e.g., changing default passwords).

Here’s a quick comparison of Arlo’s security vs. other brands:

Feature	Arlo	Nest	Ring
End-to-end encryption	Yes (cloud)	Yes (cloud)	Yes (cloud)
Two-factor authentication	Yes	Yes	Yes
Local storage encryption	No	No	No
Automatic firmware updates	Yes	Yes	Yes
Security audits	Yes	Yes	Yes
Guest network support	Yes	Yes	Yes

Note: All major brands have similar security features. The difference is in how well they’re implemented and how quickly issues are patched.

Final Thoughts: Can Arlo Cameras Be Hacked? (And Should You Worry?)

So, can Arlo cameras be hacked? Yes, but it’s rare and usually preventable. Most hacking incidents happen because of user errors—not because Arlo is inherently insecure. The brand has strong security features, but they’re only effective if you use them.

Think of it like a lock on your front door. A high-quality lock is great, but it won’t stop a thief if you leave your key under the doormat. Your job is to:

• Use strong passwords.
• Enable 2FA.
• Update firmware.
• Secure your Wi-Fi.
• Stay vigilant for suspicious activity.

Is Arlo safe? For most users, yes. But security isn’t a “set it and forget it” thing. It requires ongoing attention. If you follow the steps in this guide, your Arlo camera will be far more secure than 90% of smart cameras out there.

Remember: Hacking is a risk with any internet-connected device—not just Arlo. The key is to understand the risks, take proactive steps, and not let fear keep you from using the tech that makes your life easier and safer.

Stay smart, stay safe, and keep an eye on what matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Arlo cameras be hacked by cybercriminals?

While no security system is 100% hack-proof, Arlo cameras use advanced encryption and regular firmware updates to minimize risks. Following best practices like strong passwords and two-factor authentication further reduces the chance of unauthorized access.

How do I know if my Arlo camera has been hacked?

Signs your Arlo camera may be compromised include unusual activity notifications, unexpected camera movements, or login attempts from unknown devices. If you notice these, immediately change your password and review connected devices in your Arlo app.

Are older Arlo camera models more vulnerable to hacking?

Yes, older Arlo camera models may lack the latest security features and no longer receive firmware updates, increasing potential vulnerabilities. Upgrading to newer models ensures better protection against emerging threats targeting IoT devices.

Can a hacked Arlo camera access my home Wi-Fi network?

If an Arlo camera is hacked, a skilled attacker could potentially exploit it to access your network. Use a separate Wi-Fi network for your cameras and enable network encryption (like WPA3) to reduce this risk.

Does Arlo notify users of suspicious login attempts?

Yes, Arlo sends email alerts for unrecognized logins or devices, helping users detect unauthorized access early. Always keep your contact details updated in your Arlo account to receive these critical security notifications.

What steps can I take to prevent my Arlo camera from being hacked?

To prevent hacking, use a unique, strong password, enable two-factor authentication, and install all firmware updates promptly. Avoid sharing your Arlo login details and regularly review connected devices for any suspicious activity.