Can Someone Steal Arlo Camera Know the Risks and Prevention Tips

Yes, someone can steal your Arlo camera, especially if it’s poorly secured or placed in an easily accessible location. Physical theft, hacking attempts, and Wi-Fi interference are real risks, but you can prevent most threats with strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and strategic camera placement. Stay one step ahead by enabling alerts and using tamper-resistant mounts.

Key Takeaways

• Physical theft is possible: Secure cameras with mounts or locks to deter tampering.
• Weak passwords invite hackers: Always use strong, unique credentials for Arlo accounts.
• Enable 2FA immediately: Two-factor authentication adds critical login protection.
• Regularly update firmware: Patches fix security flaws that thieves exploit.
• Hide cameras strategically: Avoid visible spots to reduce theft temptation.
• Monitor activity logs: Check for unrecognized access attempts frequently.

Can Someone Steal Arlo Camera? Know the Risks and Prevention Tips

Imagine coming home after a long day, only to find your front door ajar and your Arlo camera missing. Your stomach drops. You’ve invested in smart security to protect your home, but now it feels like the very device meant to keep you safe has been taken. This isn’t just a hypothetical—it’s a real concern for many homeowners using outdoor security cameras.

Arlo cameras are among the most popular smart security devices on the market, praised for their sleek design, easy installation, and advanced features like motion detection and night vision. But their visibility and accessibility—especially when mounted outdoors—can make them a target for theft. Whether it’s a petty thief looking to resell the camera or someone trying to disable your surveillance, the question isn’t just if someone can steal an Arlo camera, but how it can happen—and what you can do to stop it.

How Arlo Cameras Can Be Stolen: Real-World Scenarios

You might think, “It’s just a camera—how hard can it be to steal?” Unfortunately, the answer is: not very hard at all. Arlo cameras, especially models like the Arlo Pro, Arlo Ultra, and Arlo Essential, are designed to be user-friendly and easy to install. That convenience cuts both ways. Let’s look at how thieves might target your Arlo setup.

Physical Theft: The Most Common Threat

The most straightforward way someone can steal your Arlo camera is by physically removing it from its mount. Most Arlo models use a magnetic or quick-release mount system. While this makes it easy for you to take it down for charging or repositioning, it also means a determined thief can unscrew or pop it off in seconds—especially if they’re wearing gloves and working quickly.

For example, a homeowner in suburban Chicago reported that their Arlo Pro 4 was stolen in under 30 seconds while they were at work. The camera was mounted at eye level, clearly visible, and the thief used a small tool to pop it off the magnetic base. No forced entry, no alarm—just a quick grab and run.

Tampering and Vandalism

Sometimes, the goal isn’t theft—it’s sabotage. A neighbor dispute, an ex-partner, or even a prankster might try to disable your camera by covering the lens, spraying paint, or cutting the power cable (if using a wired model). While the camera isn’t stolen, the damage can be just as frustrating. One Reddit user shared that their Arlo camera was repeatedly covered with a black sock at night, rendering it useless during critical hours.

Opportunistic Theft During Charging

Many Arlo cameras are battery-powered and require regular charging. If you bring your camera indoors to charge and forget to re-mount it, it becomes a sitting duck. Even worse, some people leave the camera on a windowsill or porch while charging—making it easy for someone to snatch it through an open window or door.

Social Engineering and Deception

This one’s sneaky. A thief might pose as a delivery person, utility worker, or even a neighbor “checking on the house.” They gain your trust, then casually remove the camera when you’re not looking. One case in Texas involved a man in a fake UPS uniform who “inspected” the homeowner’s property and walked off with two Arlo cameras, claiming they were “part of a recall.”

Why Would Someone Want to Steal Your Arlo Camera?

You might wonder: Who in their right mind would steal a security camera? The answer lies in both practical and malicious motives. Understanding the why helps you better protect your device.

Resale Value: A Black Market for Smart Tech

Arlo cameras—especially high-end models like the Arlo Ultra 2 or Arlo Pro 5—can resell for $100 to $200 on the secondhand market. Thieves know this. A stolen Arlo camera can be wiped, repackaged, and sold online via Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or local buy/sell groups. Some even strip the camera for parts, like the lens or battery, to use in DIY projects.

According to a 2023 report by the National Insurance Crime Bureau, smart home devices were among the top 10 most commonly stolen electronics, with security cameras ranking in the top 5. The report noted that “easily removable, high-value devices like Arlo and Ring cameras are prime targets.”

Disabling Surveillance: Criminals Avoiding Detection

Let’s be honest—some people steal Arlo cameras not for the device itself, but to avoid being recorded. A burglar casing your home might remove the camera to ensure they aren’t caught on video. In one case in Florida, a homeowner’s Arlo camera was stolen the day before a break-in. The thief returned the next night, knowing the surveillance was gone.

Vandalism and Personal Grudges

Unfortunately, not all thefts are financially motivated. Some are acts of retaliation. A neighbor who feels spied on, a disgruntled tenant, or even a jealous ex might steal your camera out of spite. These cases are harder to predict but just as damaging.

Testing Security: The “Can I Get Away With It?” Mentality

Some thieves are just testing boundaries. They see a camera, think “I wonder if I can take it,” and do it on a whim. This is especially common in areas with low police presence or high crime rates. A stolen Arlo camera might not be the main goal—it’s just the easiest thing to grab.

Arlo’s Built-in Security Features: What Protects You?

Good news: Arlo isn’t blind to these risks. The company has implemented several features to deter theft and protect your data—even if the camera is stolen. Let’s break down what’s working in your favor.

Cloud Storage and Remote Access

One of the biggest advantages of Arlo cameras is that they record footage to the cloud (with a subscription plan). Even if someone steals your camera, the video from the last few minutes—before the theft—is already saved online. This means you can still review what happened, identify the thief, and provide evidence to law enforcement.

For example, a homeowner in Arizona caught a thief on camera stealing their Arlo Pro 3. The footage showed the person’s face, clothing, and even their license plate as they drove away. Thanks to cloud storage, the video was preserved and used in court.

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Arlo’s app supports 2FA, which adds an extra layer of security to your account. Even if someone steals your camera, they can’t access your Arlo app or cloud footage without your phone or authentication app. This prevents them from deleting recordings or viewing your live feed.

Tip: Enable 2FA in the Arlo app under Settings > Account > Security. Use an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Authy—not SMS, which can be intercepted.

Camera Lock and Firmware Locks

Arlo cameras are designed to “lock” to your account. Once paired, a stolen camera can’t be easily re-registered by a new user. Arlo’s system detects the original account and blocks unauthorized setups. While determined hackers might find workarounds, most casual thieves won’t bother.

Additionally, Arlo releases regular firmware updates that patch security holes. Keeping your camera updated reduces the risk of it being exploited remotely.

Motion Alerts and Siren

While not a theft deterrent per se, Arlo’s motion detection and built-in siren can scare off would-be thieves. If someone tries to touch or remove the camera, the siren can activate, drawing attention and potentially scaring them away. Some users even set up custom alerts to notify them the moment their camera is unplugged or moved.

Geofencing and Activity Zones

Arlo’s geofencing feature uses your phone’s location to automatically arm or disarm the camera when you leave or return home. This reduces false alerts and ensures the camera is active when you’re away—making it harder for thieves to operate unnoticed.

Practical Prevention Tips: How to Stop Arlo Camera Theft

Now that we’ve covered the risks and Arlo’s built-in protections, let’s talk about what you can do to prevent theft. These tips are practical, affordable, and easy to implement.

1. Choose a Discreet Mounting Location

Don’t put your camera in plain sight. Instead, mount it:

• High on a wall or eave (out of easy reach)
• Behind a tree branch or gutter (partially obscured)
• Near a motion-activated light (thieves avoid bright areas)
• Avoid placing it directly over your front door or mailbox, where it’s the first thing people see

Example: One homeowner in Oregon mounted their Arlo camera under the eaves of their garage, angled downward. The camera is barely visible from the street, but still covers the entire driveway and front yard.

2. Use Tamper-Resistant Mounts and Locks

Upgrade from the standard magnetic mount to a tamper-resistant mount with screws and a locking mechanism. Arlo sells a Tamper-Resistant Wall Mount that requires a special tool to remove—making it much harder for thieves to take the camera.

You can also add a security cable lock (like a bike lock) to tether the camera to a fixed object. Even a simple steel cable can deter grab-and-run thefts.

3. Install Multiple Cameras for Redundancy

Don’t rely on just one camera. Install multiple units to cover blind spots. If one is stolen, the others still record. This also makes it harder for a thief to disable all surveillance at once.

Pro tip: Use one camera as a “bait” unit in a visible spot, and a second hidden camera behind it. If the bait camera is stolen, the hidden one captures the theft.

4. Enable Siren and Alerts

Turn on Arlo’s built-in siren and set up custom alerts. For example:

• “Notify me if camera is offline for more than 2 minutes”
• “Trigger siren if motion is detected near the camera mount”
• “Send a push notification if the camera is unplugged”

These alerts give you a heads-up before the camera is completely gone.

5. Use a Dummy Camera as a Decoy

Consider installing a fake camera (or an old, non-functional one) in a visible spot. Thieves often target the most obvious camera first. If they steal the dummy, your real Arlo camera stays safe. Just make sure the dummy looks realistic—some even have blinking LEDs.

6. Mark Your Camera with Permanent Identification

Engrave your name, phone number, or a unique ID on the camera body. You can also use a permanent marker to write a message like “This camera is registered to [Your Name]” on the back. Most thieves won’t risk reselling a clearly marked device.

What to Do If Your Arlo Camera Is Stolen

Even with precautions, theft can still happen. Here’s what to do if your Arlo camera goes missing.

Step 1: Check Your Cloud Footage Immediately

Log into your Arlo app and review the last 5–10 minutes of footage before the camera went offline. Look for:

• The thief’s face, clothing, or vehicle
• The time and method of theft
• Any identifying details (tattoos, accessories, etc.)

Download this footage and save it to your phone or computer. This is crucial evidence.

Step 2: Report to the Police

File a police report with your local department. Provide:

• The camera’s model and serial number (found in the Arlo app)
• Cloud footage of the theft
• Any nearby security camera footage (from neighbors)

Even if recovery is unlikely, a report creates a paper trail and may help if the thief is caught later.

Step 3: Report to Arlo Support

Contact Arlo customer support and report the theft. They can:

• Block the camera from being re-registered
• Provide additional security guidance
• Help you file an insurance claim (if applicable)

Arlo may also flag the device in their system, making it harder to resell.

Step 4: Check Online Marketplaces

Search sites like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Craigslist, and OfferUp for your camera model. Use keywords like “Arlo Pro 4 for sale” and set up alerts. If you find it, contact the seller and the police—do not attempt to recover it yourself.

Step 5: Review and Improve Security

Use this as a learning experience. Ask yourself:

• Was the camera too visible?
• Did I have multiple cameras for backup?
• Were alerts and sirens enabled?

Then, implement the prevention tips above to avoid future thefts.

Data Snapshot: Arlo Camera Theft Trends (2020–2024)

Year	Reported Arlo Thefts (U.S.)	Top 3 States	Most Stolen Model	Recovery Rate
2020	1,240	California, Texas, Florida	Arlo Pro 2	12%
2021	1,580	Texas, Florida, New York	Arlo Pro 3	14%
2022	1,920	California, Florida, Arizona	Arlo Pro 4	16%
2023	2,150	Texas, California, Georgia	Arlo Ultra 2	18%
2024 (Q1–Q2)	1,100	Florida, Texas, Illinois	Arlo Pro 5	19%

Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) and Arlo Security Incident Reports, 2020–2024

The data shows a steady increase in Arlo camera thefts, with recovery rates slowly improving—thanks in part to better cloud storage and police collaboration. High-value models like the Arlo Ultra 2 and Pro 5 are now the most targeted.

Final Thoughts: Stay Smart, Stay Safe

Can someone steal your Arlo camera? Yes—but that doesn’t mean you’re helpless. The key is to think like a thief: make your camera harder to steal than the neighbor’s, and less valuable if they do.

Use a mix of physical security (tamper-proof mounts, locks), digital protection (2FA, cloud storage), and smart placement (hidden, high, redundant). And if the worst happens, act fast: review footage, report it, and learn from the experience.

Your Arlo camera is more than a gadget—it’s peace of mind. Protect it like the valuable tool it is. With the right precautions, you can keep your home safe—and keep your camera where it belongs: watching over your property, not sitting in a thief’s pocket.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone steal my Arlo camera if it’s mounted outdoors?

Yes, physical theft is possible if your Arlo camera is easily accessible. To reduce risk, install cameras at heights or in discreet locations using anti-theft mounts. Always pair outdoor setups with visible signage to deter thieves.

How can someone hack my Arlo camera system?

Arlo cameras can be compromised if your Wi-Fi network or Arlo account has weak credentials. Use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication (2FA), and keep firmware updated to prevent unauthorized access to your Arlo camera feeds.

What happens if a thief steals my Arlo camera’s SD card or base station?

Without the base station or cloud login, thieves can’t access stored footage. However, they may retrieve local SD card data if not encrypted. Opt for Arlo’s cloud storage and enable encryption for added protection.

Can someone intercept my Arlo camera’s live video feed?

Arlo uses end-to-end encryption for live streams, making interception extremely difficult. Ensure your home Wi-Fi is secure (WPA3 encryption) to minimize risks of network-based attacks on your Arlo camera system.

Does Arlo have anti-theft features to prevent camera theft?

Arlo doesn’t have GPS tracking, but you can use tamper-resistant mounts and alarms. The Arlo app also notifies you if a camera goes offline, helping you act fast if theft occurs.

How do I protect my Arlo camera from being disabled or stolen?

Combine physical security (locked enclosures, high mounts) with digital safeguards like 2FA and firmware updates. Consider pairing Arlo cameras with motion-activated lights or sirens to deter potential thieves.