10 Steps to Secure Your CCTV and NVR from Hackers

An exposed camera system can leak private video or become part of a botnet. These ten practical steps close the most common gaps without special tools.

HTZ Engineering Team Updated October 16, 2026 2 min read

Cameras and recorders are connected computers. If they are set up carelessly, strangers on the internet can find them. The good news is that most attacks use simple weaknesses that are easy to fix.

The ten steps

Change default passwords on the recorder and every camera. Use a long, unique password for the admin account.
Create separate user accounts for staff, with “view only” rights. Keep admin access to one or two people.
Update firmware from the manufacturer’s official website or app. Updates often fix security holes.
Turn off port forwarding where possible. Use the manufacturer’s secure cloud/P2P app or a VPN for remote viewing instead of opening ports to the internet.
Disable unused services such as Telnet, UPnP and old protocols in the recorder settings.
Put cameras on their own network (VLAN) so a hacked camera cannot reach office computers.
Set the correct time and enable logs so you can see who logged in and when.
Lock the recorder physically. Anyone with a mouse and the screen can change settings or delete footage.
Remove ex-staff from apps and accounts the day they leave.
Buy from authorised sources. Genuine devices receive firmware updates. Grey-market units may not.

Fast checkIf you can open your recorder by typing your public IP address into a browser from outside the office, it is exposed. Close that port and use the secure app or VPN instead.

Signs your system may be compromised

Unknown user accounts in the recorder.
Settings or passwords changed without explanation.
Cameras rebooting often or running slowly.
Your internet slowing down for no clear reason.

If you see these signs, disconnect the recorder from the internet, reset passwords, update firmware and review the network setup. When in doubt, ask a technician to audit the system.