Nursery webcam hack prompts police warning

Provincial police in southwestern Ontario are warningabout the use of internet-connected cameras after a webcamplaced in a baby's nursery was hacked.

Police saida parent in Middlesex Centre,near London, was rocking achild to sleep in thenursery on the evening of July 7 when the camera used to monitor the room was remotely hacked.

The camera played eerie music, and a voice could beheard indicating the parent and child were being watched, police said.

"Obviously it's going to be disturbing," said Ontario Provincial Police Const. Liz Melvin.

The internet provider confirmed the home's router had beenhacked.

Police have not identified any suspects in the case, and the investigation is ongoing. While no other similar incidents have been reported to police, Melvin said parents should be cautious when using cameras or other monitoring systems, many of which have a default mode allowing them to be controlled remotely.

"Be aware that potentially nothing is secure if it's connected to the internet," Melvin said.

Police are advising parents to protect their own internet connections with passwords and to check the settings on all monitoring equipment that they use. Covering web cams when not in use is also a good way to keep prying eyes away.