Baby Monitors

While no baby monitor can be guaranteed 100% hack-proof, certain features and practices can significantly enhance security. Look for baby monitors with the following characteristics:

1. Encrypted Signal: Ensure the monitor uses strong encryption standards (e.g., AES-256) to protect the data transmitted between the camera and the monitor.
2. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Choose monitors that support 2FA for an added layer of security when accessing the monitor via apps.
3. Closed Systems: Non-Wi-Fi monitors that use radio frequency (RF) for transmission (like DECT technology) are less susceptible to hacking compared to Wi-Fi monitors, as they do not connect to the internet.
4. Regular Firmware Updates: Opt for monitors from reputable manufacturers that provide regular firmware updates to address security vulnerabilities.
5. Password Protection: Use strong, unique passwords for the monitor and any associated accounts.

Baby monitors work by using a camera and microphone in the baby's room to capture video and audio, which is then transmitted to a receiver unit, typically located with the caregiver.

Baby monitors were invented in the late 1930s. The first commercially available baby monitor was developed by Eugene F. McDonald Jr., the founder of the Zenith Radio Corporation. This early baby monitor, called the "Radio Nurse," consisted of a microphone placed near the baby and a speaker placed near the caregiver.

Baby monitors that operate without Wi-Fi typically use radio frequency (RF) or digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (DECT) technology to transmit audio and video signals.