For over a decade, Insecam has compiled unsecured security cameras from all over the world. What’s it trying to achieve?
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Insecam is a strange corner of the internet. It’s a site that compiles live feeds from IP cameras — internet-connected devices often used for security — that aren’t protected with a password.
The site’s creator states that any cameras that invade someone’s private life are removed. But the end result is still an eerie platform for peeking into life in real-time around the world.
I set out to try to identify where one of these cameras was streaming from, and help its owner take it offline.
Read the study that analyzed Insecam's historical records: http://users.eecs.northwestern.edu/~hxb0652/HaitaoXu_files/PAM2018.pdf
And check out the "honeypot" Insecam study: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/ipsjjip/28/0/28_502/_pdf
Special thanks to:
Emmanouil Vasilomanolakis
Hello and welcome! Tunnel Vision is a new independent video news show that dives deep into mysteries from all corners of the internet. With a commitment to transparency, we pull back the curtain on the journalistic process, emphasizing the journey of discovery rather than simply presenting the final answer.
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About:
Christophe Haubursin is a journalist and video creator. Before launching Tunnel Vision he worked at Vox.com for 8 years, where he made videos for Vox’s YouTube channel, hosted the show Glad You Asked, and produced on the Netflix series Explained. He lives in Brooklyn.
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Twitter: / haubursin
-- CHAPTER TITLES --
00:00 What is Insecam?
04:12 How long has it been around?
06:12 What’s the big deal?
10:00 Can we track down a camera?
13:39 What can we do about it?