The Solution Is Simple

user_@Christian-and-Proud831210583715975

Re: Reolink — encryption?

Have you ever wondered why your Reolink account doesn't incorporate 2-factor authentication that sends a verification code to your phone via SMS? This additional step is essential to security and should be required for every new log-in to your account or device and for any changes being made, such as adding a device, changing the password for the device, changing your account password, etc. This is a very basic second layer of security that would make the Reolink cameras and accounts more secure. Also important, owners should have access to their device's IP address and be able to view any recent activity that occurs with the device from any source. As it is, users are only given partial IP addresses for their device/s through the mobile app and the Recent Security Activity section only shows the device's interactions as they occur with the device the owner is using to operate it. These are two major flaws in the security for the cameras and accounts. There are a few more.

I go with my feelings.
Is it really right to sell cameras that can't actually be used for security purposes as "security cameras"? No. Yet Reolink has a huge website, uses the word "security" in their cameras descriptions, and seems to sell a lot of the devices to people who are mainly wanting to monitor wildlife activity in remote outdoor areas. None of us seem to want to call attention to it. Why? Why not stop charging people for any and all criminal acts and just leave behaviours and conduct up to the individual consciences?

From my perspective, a security camera should provide some level of security and in this effect, deter crime. Under these premises, a simple sign in your window or yard should do the trick for much less, right? Mine came with stickers. The recording of activity in an area to deter trespassing, vandalism, and yes, theft, is the main reason most people purchase security cameras and devices. The state of our world is not good right now and there's no correlation between that and the sales of devices like these that leave so many gaps in security the word shouldn't be used in either the titles or descriptions. People are accepting it. Perhaps we are all waiting and hoping that the cameras will eventually evolve as promised and Reolink will upgrade and make improvements that will secure our accounts and cameras from random hacking by anyone with password cracking tools and a little bit of knowledge.

The solution is simple: If people STOP buying the cameras and touting them as good and great as they are, Reolink would either make the necessary changes or go under as a company. People are buying them and not only are they accepting it, but they are also apparently willing to whitewash it. These people may have their own motivations for doing this or, they just haven't experienced any problems with their cameras, also entirely possible. I sense that many of those in the community are aware of problems with the security of the cameras but aren't mentioning the exact problems in any detail.

A word to the wise: Just because you haven't had problems with hacking doesn't mean you won't, and the fact that you haven't had problems has nothing to do with the reliability of the Reolink cameras as security cameras. The fact remains that the cameras can be hacked quite easily by people who are not rocket scientists, and they are easily accessed by others using software/apps designed to crack users' passwords and log-ins for the cameras and accounts. This is what really matters.

I think most 4G LTE owners and purchasers love the idea of having a camera that can be taken anywhere and doesn't need a WiFi connection to work . The Reolink cameras are also unique in that they allow for individual device passwords, but the passwords are limited to just 31 characters, which, essentially and theoretically, would reduce the amount of time it might take to crack a password when the owner has changed it or added a device to their account. They work, and they produce good quality video in daytime, nighttime, or low-no light.

Take my advice if you are looking at these cameras and thinking about purchasing. The 4G LTE cellular security cameras are definitely not more secure than WiFi or other types of security cameras and both of these types of cameras, as operated through the Reolink account and mobile app leave the gaps I mentioned and the security of their cameras and the accounts wide open. The cameras are very subject to hacking and may even worsen any problems you're thinking about buying one or more of them to deter and protect against.

I know people see the cameras, think about using them, and want to buy. The acronym LTE stands for Long-Term-Evolution and I do understand that concept as well, but so far Reolink has not made any changes to the cameras' set-ups or operation through the app that improve the security of the accounts and devices for the owner. Go to your camera's settings (gear icon) at the top right of camera display window and chose the top option (the camera) to move to the next screen. Go into the the Update Device option and make sure you have "Auto Update" turned on for your camera. It won't help. They are not worth the money and Reolink will keep customers hanging on, buying additional cameras, and hoping for improvements for as long as we are willing to let them.