The State Security Service of Azerbaijan has revealed a disturbing cyberattack involving the unauthorized remote access to video surveillance systems in private homes and offices across the country. According to an official statement, cybercriminals hacked into DVR control units of surveillance cameras via the global internet, illegally accessing and stealing footage that includes highly sensitive personal and family life details of residents.
The stolen videos were reportedly published on foreign websites, posing a serious threat to privacy and data security. Investigations further uncovered that user accounts offering real-time access to compromised cameras were being sold on the dark web, allowing unauthorized individuals to spy on unsuspecting citizens in their own homes.
In response, Azerbaijani authorities, in collaboration with relevant cybersecurity agencies, launched urgent countermeasures to mitigate the damage. This included identifying the compromised camera locations and analyzing the underlying vulnerabilities that enabled the breaches.
Officials traced the root of the problem to widespread security flaws in the surveillance devices, prompting Azerbaijan to formally contact the manufacturer to address and patch these weaknesses. Moreover, efforts to take down the leaked footage from foreign-hosted platforms have been partially successful, with several videos already removed.
This case highlights a growing cybersecurity crisis in Azerbaijan, particularly around the use of poorly protected smart home devices. Experts are now urging the public and private sector to immediately review their digital security protocols, as well as to update and secure all connected surveillance equipment to prevent further violations of privacy.
