How do these cameras work scan bar code?

T

Tazz 316

Getting the hang of it
Aug 11, 2016
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Anyone ever seen the cheap IP camera that you simply scan the bar code with your phone and then the camera will show up in the camera makers app?

How does that work without doing anything on your router? No port fwd, vpn etc
 
Tazz 316 said:
Anyone ever seen the cheap IP camera that you simply scan the bar code with your phone and then the camera will show up in the camera makers app?

How does that work without doing anything on your router? No port fwd, vpn etc
Click to expand...

Those are generally 'P2P' (Peer to Peer) network type cameras and if so, have advantages to some but IMO, are outweighed by its disadvantages.

They're easy to set up, no DDNS needed, no port forwarding...basically anyone with a smartphone and Wi-Fi can do it. But therein lies the rub....you're likely going to be on a cloud somewhere and quite possibly, a fee will be forthcoming. You will be chained to their whims, rules, security and the speed and reliability of their server. Most important (to me) you likely won't be able to access the camera stream and not able to use an app other than theirs or PC-based VMS software (like Blue Iris).

This is a pretty good explanation, but bear in mind it's written by a company that sells P2P cams for a living:
What Is A P2P IP Camera And How Does It Work?
 
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I was just wondering how it worked. I've got friends buying them telling me how easy it was to setup and how i need to upgrade so i don't have to mess with a VPN or do anything to my network.

They are buying them off amazon for around $50 from no name companies. Does not sound very secure to me so what happens when this company goes away will the camera no longer work? or will it not work once the app is outdated.
 
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Tazz 316 said:
I was just wondering how it worked. I've got friends buying them telling me how easy it was to setup and how i need to upgrade so i don't have to mess with a VPN or do anything to my network.

They are buying them off amazon from no name companies. Does not sound very secure to me.
Click to expand...

I commend you for finding out before jumping into the fray. As said, if that's all you want out of a cam and can live with those conditions, then that's one's choice. You're right...your friends are taking a chance.

You are also on the right track re: a VPN, as port forwarding is a no-no.

Setting up a VPN can be daunting for a novice, but it doesn't have to be. Lots of info on this forum about it. And it's like a lot of things in life: anything worth having takes some effort.
 
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I read the link you posted but am not sure do these cameras send the video to the companies server?
 
Tazz 316 said:
I read the link you posted but am not sure do these cameras send the video to the companies server?
Click to expand...
If its P2P, it hits their server at least long enough to connect the cam to your device, then....who REALLY knows?
 
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Tazz 316 said:
I was just wondering how it worked. I've got friends buying them telling me how easy it was to setup and how i need to upgrade so i don't have to mess with a VPN or do anything to my network.

They are buying them off amazon for around $50 from no name companies. Does not sound very secure to me so what happens when this company goes away will the camera no longer work? or will it not work once the app is outdated.
Click to expand...

Just say no to P2P or cloud anything.
They are the ones that need to upgrade, not you. They could be creating a security nightmare for themselves.
Do it right the first time, via Ethernet cable and POE.

Its like the Ring, Nest, Arlo users that show up here and want to replace the 6 month old cams, with something worth having.
 
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Unfortunately your friends will eventually realize:
  1. They are probably going to pay more for their "easy to use system" with crappy cameras
  2. They are going to get less video quality for the same $$ you spend
  3. They are going to create a security nightmare for themselves by playing around in that space (PTP, UPnP, unknown servers and unknown companies) while lacking any technical understanding of how "unknown companies" security/update protocols might affect them
  4. and potentially end up with their cameras just being part of a botnet (like bp2008 comic illustrates) or exposed via search or vulnerability to anyone interested on the internet
but fortunately, they probably won't know what a botnet is or how many people might be watching their video feeds (creepy!), and in this case ignorance will be bliss!
 
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bp2008 said:
Relevant: xkcd: Smart Home Security
Click to expand...

Love this one:

not_available.png
 
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Even better one is:

"Your country is not recognised, please try again!"

Works especially well against North Korean access.
 
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crw030 said:
Unfortunately your friends will eventually realize:
  1. They are probably going to pay more for their "easy to use system" with crappy cameras
  2. They are going to get less video quality for the same $$ you spend
  3. They are going to create a security nightmare for themselves by playing around in that space (PTP, UPnP, unknown servers and unknown companies) while lacking any technical understanding of how "unknown companies" security/update protocols might affect them
  4. and potentially end up with their cameras just being part of a botnet (like bp2008 comic illustrates) or exposed via search or vulnerability to anyone interested on the internet
but fortunately, they probably won't know what a botnet is or how many people might be watching their video feeds (creepy!), and in this case ignorance will be bliss!
Click to expand...
Actaully speaking those wifi cams 20-30usd ones can't say AS a security camera, just as a simple Toy. If only for fun, i think can bear for it, lol.
 
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