14 DAY TRIAL // Hackers managed to break into the surveillance camera system of a Thai prison and then broadcast live video on YouTube.
While details on the hack itself haven’t been provided, local authorities claim the breach was discovered when a journalist who came across the live streaming alerted prison representatives.
According to an AP report, a YouTube account called BigBrother’s Gaze live streamed prisoners’ activities for several hours on Google’s video sharing platform. Multiple security cameras were shown in the broadcast, so it’s believed hackers obtained access to the entire surveillance system.
Authorities in Thailand claim the camera system belonging to the Lang Suan Prison in the southern province of Chumphon was compromised with an attack launched from outside the country, but specifics on the hacking group behind the breach haven’t been provided. Also, no information was shared on how hackers managed to break into the surveillance cameras.
However, Corrections Department Director-General Police Col. Narat Sawettanan told the cited source that prison officials reacted immediately by turning off the entire surveillance system when becoming aware of the breach. A complaint with the police has already been filed and an investigation is currently under way.
“No breach”
AP notes that the YouTube channel live-streaming footage from the hacked surveillance system incorrectly claimed the video came from a prison in Bangkok. The video, however, was no longer available on Christmas day.
At the time of writing, the said YouTube channel doesn’t have any footage, most likely after the account owner removed it.
In the description of the channel, the owner says the footage wasn’t obtained as a result of a breach, but they do advise everyone to change the default passwords when setting up surveillance cameras.
“I want to apologize to those who may have been offended by my broadcasts. In fact, there was no break-in. All cameras are in the public domain. P.S. I want to disappoint you, such content is unlikely to appear again on the channel. P. S. S. when installing video surveillance change the standard passwords,” the message reads.
The account was created on October 26 and currently has 1,700 subscribers.
