Hackers breached up to a million home security cameras and video recorders and used them for massive internet attacks on a number of websites. They exploited flaws and out-of-date firmware (embedded software) in the internet-connected devices. It is not known whether they intercepted video streams from the security cameras.
Experts advise that consumers who buy internet-capable products find out the steps they must follow to update the firmware. If that information is unavailable, don't buy a device.
The Wall Street Journal broke the story in a long, cluttered article. A shorter version appears on MarketWatch.
Here at SecureMyFirm we can't protect your smart home devices from becoming zombies, but we sure can shield and back up your computers and smartphones!