Portaltic.-Eken Group solves the failure in its smart doorbells that allowed it to see images of other users’ homes

MADRID, 29 (Portaltic/EP)

Eken Group has released a firmware update for the cameras of its smart doorbells, with which it has “significantly” improved the security of data transmission, correcting the error that allowed images of other users’ homes to be seen.

As was known last March, a team of engineers discovered serious security flaws in different smart doorbells that can be controlled through the Aiwit application – owned by the Eken company – and that allow you to view the images of the security cameras installed in other users’ homes.

Specifically, these vulnerabilities were identified in at least ten models of this type of device, which are sold with the same design, although under the name of different brands, such as Fishbot, Andoe, Gemee, Luckwolf, Rakeblue, Tuck and Eken, among others. others. Likewise, they can be purchased from online platforms such as Amazon, Walmart, Sears, Shein and Temu.

Now, Eken Group has released a firmware update for these devices with version 2.4.1 or higher, which has “significantly” improved the security of data transmission, as detailed in a pop-up notification on their website.

According to investigations exposed in Consumer Reports in March, the vulnerabilities found allowed anyone to access the images from these cameras integrated into smart doorbells, obtaining information about, for example, the moment when users enter or leave their homes.

Likewise, these doorbells also exposed confidential information, such as the IP address of the house in which they are installed, as well as the serial number of the device or the name of the unencrypted WiFi network. Thus, they facilitated access to the images by people outside the home.

In addition to all this, users could carry out malicious activities by simply pairing the doorbell with a device that had the Aiwit application installed, gaining control of these cameras. After connecting the doorbell to a WiFi access point they could monitor the images.

With the Eken Group update, Consumer Reports’ digital privacy and security testing team has confirmed that the camera vulnerabilities in smart doorbells have been fixed, so users will be able to continue using the devices without security risks.

Likewise, from the same medium they have indicated that the products have been subjected to the mandatory tests of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States, so the company has added the corresponding identifiers to the smart doorbells.

For its part, as detailed by an Eken spokesperson in statements to Consumer Reports, the technology company has highlighted its commitment to improving its products to “guarantee the highest standards of safety and compliance.”

With all this, after the publication of the firmware update, users who use these smart doorbells with cameras must automatically have version 2.4.1 or higher. If not, you must update the device to this firmware version from the Aiwit application, in order to ensure safe operation.