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Beware of these doorbell cameras that could be compromised by cybercriminals

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Beware of these doorbell cameras that could be compromised by cybercriminals

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Chances are, if you’re like many people nowadays, you’ve got a doorbell camera set up at your front door. You know, the ones that let you see who’s at your doorstep even when you’re miles away. 

No doubt, they can be great for enhanced security, and I definitely feel safer with mine running 24/7, but then comes this news. Turns out, some doorbell cameras have serious security flaws.

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A recent investigation by Consumer Reports has unveiled a troubling scenario. 

Certain doorbell cameras, touted for their ability to keep our homes safe, have been found to contain critical security flaws. This disturbing discovery brings to light the potential risks you face whether you already have a doorbell camera or you’re thinking about incorporating one of these devices into your home.

CLICK TO GET KURT’S FREE CYBERGUY NEWSLETTER WITH SECURITY ALERTS, QUICK VIDEO TIPS, TECH REVIEWS AND EASY HOW-TO’S TO MAKE YOU SMARTER 

The security flaws researchers exposed

Researchers have identified major vulnerabilities in video doorbells manufactured by the Chinese company Eken Group Ltd. These devices, sold under the Eken and Tuck brand names, among others, have been available for purchase on major online retail platforms including Amazon, Walmart, Sears, Shein and Temu. 

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The flaws could potentially allow unauthorized access to view footage or even take complete control of the devices.

DOG CAUGHT ON DOORBELL CAMERA STEALING PACKAGE FROM NEIGHBOR’S FRONT PORCH

Doorbell cameras on display  (Consumer Reports)

The technical glitch that was discovered

The core of the problem lies in the doorbells’ dependency on an app called Aiwit, operated by Eken Group. Crooks could exploit this by pairing an unsecured doorbell to their device, thereby gaining the ability to view or capture images and lock out the legitimate owner.

Additionally, the absence of a registration code mandated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) further questions the legality of these devices in the U.S.

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Aiwit app  (Consumer Reports)

MORE: IS YOUR DOORBELL CAMERA VULNERABLE TO JAMMING OR INTERFERENCE?  

Retailers’ response to the investigation

Following the investigation, retailers like Temu have pulled the questioned doorbells from their listings. Walmart, acknowledging the issue with third-party sellers, has taken steps to offer refunds.

Amazon, however, despite awarding these products the “Amazon’s Choice” badge, had not responded to CyberGuy’s inquiry at the time of publishing. Critics argue e-commerce giants like Amazon need to shoulder more responsibility for the products sold on their platforms.

MORE: TOP PICKS TO AMP UP YOUR HOME SECURITY

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Industry and regulatory challenges

The investigation highlights a complex ecosystem of brands and manufacturers often operating under multiple names and offering similar products. This complicates the task of regulating and ensuring the safety of products sold online. Despite contacting the manufacturers and online retailers, Consumer Reports found most of the problematic products still available for sale.

Eken doorbell camera  (Amazon)

MORE: HOW TO DETECT A HACKER SPYING ON YOUR DOORBELL CAMERA  

What you can do to protect yourself

For your part, we recommend you exercise caution and conduct due diligence before incorporating these doorbell cameras into your home. Here are 12 things you can do to stay protected.

1. Check the maker of all home video doorbells and security cameras: Investigate the manufacturer — check their reputation, read reviews and see if they’ve got a track record of keeping things secure. Remember, not all doorbell cameras are created equal.

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2. Disconnect and unplug any camera identified as unsafe or a security risk: Consumer Reports has done the legwork for you. If you own one of the doorbell cameras it has flagged, be sure to unplug that camera, disconnect it from your Wi-Fi, and maybe even consider getting a more secure one like the ones we’ve listed here under top video doorbells. 

3. Access the camera’s app or web interface: Most modern doorbell cameras are managed through a smartphone app or web interface. Start by logging into your account.

Here’s what you can do to protect your privacy on the Ring app:

  • Launch Ring App
  • Tap 3 line menu on top left
  • In Control Center, check these three areas
    Account Verification – Change to Text instead of Email
    Authorized Client Devices – give this list a look over to make sure all of these devices belong to you or someone else you have authorized as a shared user
    Shared Users – review each person listed to make sure you only see who you have granted access
  • Account Verification – Change to Text instead of Email
  • Authorized Client Devices – give this list a look over to make sure all of these devices belong to you or someone else you have authorized as a shared user
  • Shared Users – review each person listed to make sure you only see who you have granted access

4. Update firmware and software: Regularly updating your device’s firmware and the associated app is crucial for security. Manufacturers often release updates to patch vulnerabilities. Look for an ‘Update’ or ‘Check for Updates’ option in the settings menu.

5. Review account security settings: Ensure your account is secured with a strong, unique password. Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords. 

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Also, enable two-factor authentication if available. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification.

6. Check camera privacy settings: Look for settings that control who can view your camera feed and when the camera records. Some devices allow you to set privacy zones, which are areas the camera ignores when recording.

7. Manage data storage and sharing settings: Understand how your video recordings are stored —whether locally on the device, in the cloud, or both — and for how long. Review any options related to data sharing, especially with third parties.

8. Enable Encryption: Ensure that your camera supports end-to-end encryption for video feeds and recordings to remain secure. This makes it much harder for unauthorized individuals to access your data.

9. Secure your Wi-Fi network: Since your doorbell camera connects to your home Wi-Fi network, ensure your router is secured with WPA3 encryption if available. Also, consider using a guest network for your smart home devices.

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10. Familiarize yourself with privacy policies: Review the manufacturer’s privacy policy to understand how your data is used, shared and protected.

11. Monitor access logs: If the device or app offers access logs, regularly check them for any unauthorized access.

12. Contact support for advanced settings: If you’re unsure about some settings or their implications, don’t hesitate to contact the manufacturer’s customer support for guidance.

Remember, the specific steps and available settings can vary significantly between different brands and models of doorbell cameras. It’s always a good idea to consult the user manual or support documentation for your specific device for detailed instructions.

MORE: A PRIVACY WIN: AMAZON LIMITS POLICE ACCESS TO YOUR RING CAMERA  

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Kurt’s key takeaways

The disturbing revelations from Consumer Reports underscore a pressing need for tighter security measures and more rigorous oversight in the smart device industry. While technology offers the promise of making our homes smarter and safer, it also introduces new vulnerabilities that can be exploited. So, be sure to follow the three recommendations above to keep you and your family protected from creeps and crooks who might be trying to violate your privacy.

How concerned are you about the security flaws in doorbell cameras, and what steps would you take to mitigate these risks? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover

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Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.

Technology

Microsoft starts removing Copilot buttons from Windows 11 apps

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Microsoft starts removing Copilot buttons from Windows 11 apps

Microsoft is starting to remove “unnecessary” Copilot buttons from its Windows 11 apps. In the latest version of the Notepad app for Windows Insiders, Microsoft has removed the Copilot button in favor of a “writing tools” menu. The Copilot button in the Snipping Tool app also no longer appears when you select an area to capture.

The change is part of “reducing unnecessary Copilot entry points, starting with apps like Snipping Tool, Photos, Widgets and Notepad,” that Microsoft promised to complete as part of its broader plan to fix Windows 11. While Copilot buttons are being removed, it looks like the underlying AI features are here to stay, though.

The Copilot button has been removed from Notepad, but the writing tools replacement still uses AI-powered features and looks like the identical menu of options that existed before. I still think these features are largely unnecessary in what’s supposed to be a lightweight text app, but removing the superfluous Copilot branding is a good first step.

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AI chatbots refilling psych meds sparks debate

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AI chatbots refilling psych meds sparks debate

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If you have ever waited weeks just to renew a mental health prescription, you already know how frustrating the system can feel. Now imagine handling that refill through a chatbot instead of a doctor.

That kind of thing is already starting to happen. In Utah, a new pilot program is allowing an artificial intelligence system from Legion Health to renew certain psychiatric medications without direct approval from a physician each time. State officials say this could speed things up and reduce costs.

Many psychiatrists are not convinced. They are asking whether this actually solves the problem it claims to fix.

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AMAZON HEALTH AI BRINGS A DOCTOR TO YOUR POCKET
 

Utah launches AI chatbot to renew select psychiatric prescriptions, raising questions about safety and oversight. (pocketlight/Getty Images)

How the AI prescription system works

Before this starts sounding like a robot psychiatrist, the program stays tightly limited. The AI only renews a short list of lower-risk medications that a doctor has already prescribed. These include commonly used antidepressants like Prozac, Zoloft and Wellbutrin. 

To qualify, patients must meet strict requirements. You need to be stable on your current medication. Recent dosage changes or a psychiatric hospitalization will disqualify you. You also need to check in with a healthcare provider after a set number of refills or within a certain time frame.

During the process, the chatbot asks about symptoms, side effects and warning signs such as suicidal thoughts. If anything raises concern, it sends the case to a real doctor before approving a refill. According to an agreement filed with Utah’s Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy, the pilot includes strict safeguards, including human review thresholds and automatic escalation for higher-risk cases. The system cannot prescribe new medications or manage drugs that require close monitoring. As a result, it leaves out many complex conditions from the pilot.

Why some experts are pushing back

Even with those guardrails, many psychiatrists are uneasy. Brent Kious, a psychiatrist and professor at the University of Utah School of Medicine, has questioned whether AI systems like this actually solve the access problem they are designed to address. 

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He has suggested that the benefits of an AI-based refill system may be overstated, especially since patients must already be stable and under care to qualify. Kious has also raised concerns about how much these systems rely on self-reported answers. Patients may not recognize side effects, may answer inaccurately, or may adjust their responses to get the outcome they want. 

He has further questioned whether current AI tools can safely handle even routine parts of psychiatric care, noting that treatment decisions often depend on factors that go beyond simple screening questions. He has also pointed to a lack of transparency in how these systems operate, which can make it harder for doctors and patients to fully trust them. 

HEALTHCARE DATA BREACH HITS SYSTEM STORING PATIENT RECORDS
 

A new pilot program allows AI to handle some mental health medication refills without direct doctor approval. (Sezeryadigar/Getty Images)

The promise behind the technology

Supporters of the program are focused on access. A lot of people in Utah still struggle to get mental health care. Wait times can stretch for weeks. In some areas, there simply are not enough providers available. The idea is that AI can take care of routine refill requests so doctors have more time to focus on patients with more complex needs. That could help take some pressure off the system. Legion Health is also leaning into convenience. The service is expected to cost about $19 a month and is designed to make refills quicker and easier for patients who qualify. From a big-picture view, that could help. From a patient’s point of view, the tradeoff may feel a little more complicated. We reached out to Legion Health for comment, but did not hear back before our deadline.

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What this means to you

If you rely on mental health medication, this kind of system could change how you manage your care. You may be able to get refills more quickly if your condition is stable and your treatment plan is not changing. At the same time, this does not replace your doctor. It does not handle new diagnoses or complex decisions. It also adds another layer between you and your care. Instead of a conversation, you are interacting with a system that depends on how you answer a series of questions. Mental health treatment often depends on small details. Changes in mood, sleep or behavior can matter more than a simple yes or no response. That is where some experts believe human care still has a clear advantage.

The bigger question about AI in healthcare

This pilot is only one step in a much larger shift. Utah is already experimenting with AI in other areas of healthcare. Companies like Legion are signaling plans to expand beyond a single state. What starts with simple refills could eventually move into more complex decisions. That is where the conversation becomes more urgent. Is this a practical way to improve access to care, or does it risk reducing something deeply personal into a transaction driven by software?

HOW ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS TRANSFORMING HEALTHCARE
 

Psychiatrists question whether AI prescription refills address access issues or create new risks for patients. (SDI Productions/Getty Images)

Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?

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Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com.

Kurt’s key takeaways

There is no question that access to mental health care needs improvement. Long wait times and limited availability are real problems that affect millions of people. AI may help in specific situations, especially when the task is routine and the patient is stable. Still, convenience should not be confused with quality. For now, this system is narrow in scope and closely monitored. That makes it easier to test. It also highlights how early we are in this transition. The technology will continue to evolve. The real question is whether the safeguards, oversight and transparency will evolve at the same pace.

Would you feel comfortable letting a chatbot handle part of your mental health care, or is that a line you do not want technology to cross? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

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ChatGPT has a new $100 per month Pro subscription

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ChatGPT has a new 0 per month Pro subscription

OpenAI has announced a new version of its ChatGPT Pro subscription that costs $100 per month. The new Pro tier offers “5x more” usage of its Codex coding tool than the $20 per month Plus subscription and “is best for longer, high-effort Codex sessions,” OpenAI says.

The company is introducing the new tier as it tries to win over users from Anthropic and its popular Claude Code tool. ChatGPT’s $100 per month option will directly compete with Anthropic’s “Max” tier for Claude, which costs the same price. It also offers a middle ground between the $20 per month Plus tier and the $200 version of the Pro tier.

(Yes, there are now two tiers of “Pro”; while the new tier “still offers access to all Pro features,” OpenAI says that the more expensive one has even higher usage limits.)

According to OpenAI, ChatGPT Plus will “will continue to be the best offer at $20 for steady, day-to-day usage of Codex, and the new $100 Pro tier offers a more accessible upgrade path for heavier daily use.” OpenAI also offers an $8 per month Go tier and a free tier.

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