I’m always concerned with the safety of my kids. You are right to be worried about the safety of a baby monitor accessible trough WIFI connection. I did my own investigation and here’s the bottom line about WIFI baby monitor safety.
WIFI baby monitor can be the most secure monitor you have. A WIFI signal can be protected, and the old radio frequency baby monitor is not. To entirely secure a WIFI baby monitor, you have to take extra steps when using your new baby monitor. Here’s what every parent must know about WIFI baby monitor security.
If you’re seeking for the best baby monitor and hoping to find real reviews from real parents. You should check out this list I created of the top baby monitors.
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How does a wifi baby monitor work?
A WiFi monitor is one wireless device who connects a baby camera to the parent unit using your WiFi connection. The video stream is accessible from anywhere. As long as you have an excellent connection to the internet or the local WIFI network and the baby monitor is in the WiFi range.
This means that you need a WIFI modem working in your house to be able to connect to the baby monitor.
For more information, you should check out this guide I created about how WiFi baby monitor works and how they compare to non-WiFi options.
Watch from different devices
The ultimate strength of the WIFI baby monitor is the ability to stream the image of your sleeping baby to different devices.
Download the app on your smartphone
There are numerous WiFi monitors on the market that have smartphone compatibility. You have to download and install the app on your phone. So you remotely see your child, and this could work for family members and friends from all over the world.
The app will connect the baby unit to the internet. The traditional baby monitor uses radio frequencies and is limited in coverage distance. With WIFI monitor, you don’t have to be worried about being out of range from the baby unit.
This unique feature makes it easy for you to watch your baby directly from your mobile device. It even works with tablet and iPad.
Watch from your work computer
If you are working on your laptop or personal computer, you view the video stream directly on your computer screen. Let say you’re at work and want to check out what’s going on with the babysitter; you only have to open the app.
WIFI baby monitor advantages
Even with the babysitter in charge, you might want to check on your precious baby. Or maybe you are away for work and miss your kids. Some WiFi baby monitors have the advantages of not being limited to the range of the house.
Also, several models are cordless which remove the danger of strangulation in your baby room. One less worry.
Is it safe to use a WIFI baby monitor?
At first, I was sure that anything connected to the internet couldn’t be safe and it was better to use short-range radio frequency monitor. But I was disturbed to find out that the most reliable video baby monitors are the ones that connect to my WIFI network.
Radio frequency can be pick up by anyone, and there’s no way to be secured. On the other hand, you can secure your WIFI monitor.
You need to make sure the WIFI connection is password protected and secure. Also, keep your computer firmware up-to-date.
For the video monitors, your safest defense is to never rely on the manufacturer’s claims that it’s entirely secure.
Ok but what if I lose the internet
WIFI baby monitor works great as long as your home WiFi signal is up and stable. You will be fine, as long as you are connected to the home WIFI network.
But if the WiFi connection is lost, your mobile will have the 3G signal automatically in back-up.
If you are watching on a device connected to the internet through the WIFI, you must keep in mind that it’s not all corner of your house where the WIFI signal reach. The WIFI signal could be weak in some area of your backyard. You don’t want the signal to drop out without notice.
If you are sharing the WIFI with other peoples continuously connected to the network, you probably want to go for a monitor that doesn’t need WiFi. When many devices are connected, the WIFI could become jammed and start to slow down. This problem could directly affect the strength of the signal of your baby monitor. This overpopulated network problem could be fixed by connecting to a proprietary signal.
Are baby monitors safe of radiation
If you are a bit like me, you are probably concerned with radiation exposure from WIFI signals. I did some research, and there is no confirmed study on this subject. But, according to Forbes, one of the most reliable new study performed by a group of independent researchers said that there’s no conclusive proof the signals are harmful to babies. In the same direction, the World Health Organization stated that there’s no danger from wifi signals exposure.
Still, if you are worried about the possible effects of the wifi signals, do like I do and make sure to turn it off when you’re not using the monitor.
For more in-depth information, check out my article on what you need to know about baby monitor radiation.
Can a WIFI video monitor be hacked?
The short answer is, yes they can be hacked. That one characteristic of the WiFi baby monitor could have dangerous implications.
In the recently published reviews by The Consumer Reports of 2007, WIFI baby monitor are getting more challenging to hack than the previous analog models, but still not hack proof.
The problem is some types of WIFI monitor don’t have data encryption.
Some, also, have a universal password associated with them. Wich cannot be modified and is accessible online or via the owner manual. This grant access to the monitor to anyone who finds the passwords.
6 tips to make sure a WIFI monitor is secure
You need to take the extra time to secure your new WiFi baby monitor. Yes, you probably already secure your internet connection, but there’s more you should do. Go the extra mile to make sure your home network is secure. Here’s a list of easy suggestions to have the extra peace of mind:
1. Check the real people reviews
Do your research and be sure to buy a model that has been proven to be secure. In this case, searching for the best price inst the best plan.
2. Change the password
By default, the manufacturers will often employ a simple password. They are easy to remember for the first time user, but they are so easy to figure. Create a unique and secure password. Mix letters with numbers, maybe add symbols. Don’t share it and don’t use the same as for other websites.
3. Don’t pass the update
At the same time as you set up your monitor, you should go online to register. By doing so, you are sure not to miss any firmware updates. Baby monitor brands routinely release updates to improve the functionality and security strengthen.
4. Use a firewall
Make sure your home WIFI network as a firewall running.
5. Use the WPA2 security standard
This following tip is for the more techno geek parents. For better encryption data, I heard it’s best to set the WiFi to a WPA2 security standard. Because the previous WiFi protocols, such as WEP, are much easier to hack.
6. Don’t forget to turn it off
My last advice is quite simple but still many parents forget about it. When you keep your monitor on all the time, you are making it more accessible to hackers. So turn off your device off.
For more in-depth information, check out my article on what you can do to secure your monitor from hacking.
Why can internet speed be an issue?
The Internet speed is probably one of the most significant disadvantages of Internet monitor. When you are out of your local WIFI network range, if your Internet goes down, your access to the monitor goes down too.Â
What if I have limited internet bandwidth usage?
The WIFI baby monitor uses no Internet bandwidth while you are at home, watching on your local WIFI network. It will only streams if the app is open. The rest of the time it will be on standby. You have to worry about bandwidth usage when you are using the app to monitor your baby while you are not at your home. Â
Beware of extra charge on your mobile
Always keep in mind that when you are watching the video feeds with your mobile 3G network you are using your data. It’s like watching video on youtube. Some mobile plan has a low cap data limit, and extra usage can bring an additional charge on your monthly bill.
Watching your little bundle of love can be addictive, especially when you are away from home and missing him.
Now that you know the truth about WIFI baby monitor
Making a wifi monitor more secure is possible by taking the extra steps. Sure, it will never be 100% hack proof, but it still more secure than the open radio frequency monitor.
Now, you have to make sure that your local WIFI connection is accessible around your house. If not make sure you use the monitor with a device always connected to the internet.
P.S. If you’re seeking for the best baby monitor and hoping to find real reviews from real parents. You should check out this list I created of the top baby monitors.
To get the best insights and tips to find the best baby monitor, I read more than 300 reviews online and ask my friends or others parents. From all their insights and my own experience, I’ve built this list of the best baby monitors.