Rig Security Cameras

[bobbygreenwell]

New Reflection owner, new to the site and absolutely brand new to the full time RV life.

All that aside, I firmly believe in the goodness of people but also know I need to balance that with common sense and a healthy dose of paranoia.

I live by security in layers, and recently purchased and installed several IP based wireless cameras on the new rig. First impression (post setup and running the product through its paces) is that I am ecstatic in the function, ease of setup and general image quality.

I typically used wired IP based cameras on stick/brick structures, and this was my first foray into battery/solar powered options and I can say the initial installation is 10x easier (albeit, I know there are limitations and they come with their own set of unique problems).

I am on the fence about pairing these up with a "dedicated" monitor mounted somewhere in the rig, but so far it doesn't seem to be necessary (as long as I don't move my phone or tablet to a safe resting place and then forget where I put it).

Curious with other's experiences with camera products and any feedback/advice.

 

[jneubig]

What camera(s) did you go with? I have toyed with the idea but haven't pulled the trigger yet on any.

 

[bobbygreenwell]

I went with the Reolink Argus series. Not knowing how long the battery pack might/might not last, I also picked up the solar panels.

The one camera that is deployed without the panel is still sitting at 99% 32 hrs later.

Probably estimate about 5 minutes to unbox and layout, 10 minutes to setup (download app, pair cameras) and about 15 minutes to install. I can say it probably took me longer to plan the mounting locations than it did to get these things working.

Edited to add this camera screenshot taken right before sunrise.

 

[triplethreat]

I went with the Reolink Argus series. Not knowing how long the battery pack might/might not last, I also picked up the solar panels.

The one camera that is deployed without the panel is still sitting at 99% 32 hrs later.

Probably estimate about 5 minutes to unbox and layout, 10 minutes to setup (download app, pair cameras) and about 15 minutes to install. I can say it probably took me longer to plan the mounting locations than it did to get these things working.

Edited to add this camera screenshot taken right before sunrise.

View attachment 36189

While I applaud your effort and accomplishment, just curious how valuable a nice shot of the top of someone's head would be if they did try to break in....especially if they were wearing a hoodie or hat?

 

[bobbygreenwell]

While I applaud your effort and accomplishment, just curious how valuable a nice shot of the top of someone's head would be if they did try to break in....especially if they were wearing a hoodie or hat?

Valid question, but I am not sure if you understood that the shot provided is not the only camera (or only viewing angle).

I included it to help someone else get an idea of clarity and angle coverage, not to demonstrate what/how I personally employ security layers.

Thanks for the input!

 

[triplethreat]

Valid question, but I am not sure if you understood that the shot provided is not the only camera (or only viewing angle).

I included it to help someone else get an idea of clarity and angle coverage, not to demonstrate what/how I personally employ security layers.

Thanks for the input!

OK....gotcha now....Thanks for sharing your info with us.

 

[bobbygreenwell]

[MENTION=21739]xrated[/MENTION] .... Absolutely!

I do see how that particular angle could be a limiter, but honestly if someone is already that close, "Does a camera really matter?"

 

[triplethreat]

[MENTION=21739]xrated[/MENTION] .... Absolutely!

I do see how that particular angle could be a limiter, but honestly if someone is already that close, "Does a camera really matter?"

If someone is that close, it certainly requires some attention/investigation as to their purpose for being there. Of course, your action plan will vary depending on whether you are in the trailer or gone away from it. I would have plans for either scenario.

 

[bobbygreenwell]

[MENTION=21739]xrated[/MENTION] As we all should.

I am sure we probably have a lot of those plans in common.

Appreciate you stopping by.

 

[Corky2]

When the trailer is home are those cameras still accessible to you?

I have a home camera system and it would be nice to add trailer cameras to the home system when the trailer is at home.

 

[bobbygreenwell]

When the trailer is home are those cameras still accessible to you?

I have a home camera system and it would be nice to add trailer cameras to the home system when the trailer is at home.

Great question....

It is absolutely possible. A bit more setup (and there is an assumption about the network/networks that they are connected to).

There are a couple of setup scenarios that come to mind, with interoperability between manufacturers being the only "real" deployment friction point.

 

[Corky2]

Great question....

It is absolutely possible. A bit more setup (and there is an assumption about the network/networks that they are connected to).

There are a couple of setup scenarios that come to mind, with interoperability between manufacturers being the only "real" deployment friction point.

You do have to be careful connecting ip cameras to a home network for security reasons. I use a NVR for my home cameras and it can be connected to my homes guest network, separate from the primary network. Many reports our there on certain surveillance camera manufactures with nefarious intentions to collect/steal data from home/business networks.

 

[bobbygreenwell]

[MENTION=42716]Corky2[/MENTION] Completely agree. Unfortunately, it is not just IP cameras that are a security vulnerability....

 

[Corky2]

[MENTION=42716]Corky2[/MENTION] Completely agree. Unfortunately, it is not just IP cameras that are a security vulnerability....

Yep ... I agree! I try my best to protect my privacy.

 

[dryfly]

You do have to be careful connecting ip cameras to a home network for security reasons. I use a NVR for my home cameras and it can be connected to my homes guest network, separate from the primary network. Many reports our there on certain surveillance camera manufactures with nefarious intentions to collect/steal data from home/business networks.

I run my NVR on my home network but my cameras are on a sub-network behind the NVR. Like ya'll I have a lot of concern about hackers getting into my cameras. I have absolutely no concern about anybody watching video of my backyard (doubt they would find it entertaining), but I am highly concerned about someone using my cameras as bots in a botnet spewing out spam.

The biggest problem in IP camera security seems to be the way remote viewing is set up. Most is accomplished with router port forwarding. But, if you can remotely access your network this way, so can anyone else.

I set up a simple tunnel VPN using an Asus router, and feel very safe as all data going both ways is encrypted.

Interesting to see these cameras being effectively used in RV's.

 

[Corky2]

I run my NVR on my home network but my cameras are on a sub-network behind the NVR. Like ya'll I have a lot of concern about hackers getting into my cameras. I have absolutely no concern about anybody watching video of my backyard (doubt they would find it entertaining), but I am highly concerned about someone using my cameras as bots in a botnet spewing out spam.

The biggest problem in IP camera security seems to be the way remote viewing is set up. Most is accomplished with router port forwarding. But, if you can remotely access your network this way, so can anyone else.

I set up a simple tunnel VPN using an Asus router, and feel very safe as all data going both ways is encrypted.

Interesting to see these cameras being effectively used in RV's.

I have Asus products also and I'm a little concerned if China takes control over Taiwan. Might have to prevent system updates.

 

[bobbygreenwell]

I run my NVR on my home network but my cameras are on a sub-network behind the NVR. Like ya'll I have a lot of concern about hackers getting into my cameras. I have absolutely no concern about anybody watching video of my backyard (doubt they would find it entertaining), but I am highly concerned about someone using my cameras as bots in a botnet spewing out spam.

The biggest problem in IP camera security seems to be the way remote viewing is set up. Most is accomplished with router port forwarding. But, if you can remotely access your network this way, so can anyone else.

I set up a simple tunnel VPN using an Asus router, and feel very safe as all data going both ways is encrypted.

Interesting to see these cameras being effectively used in RV's.

Sounds like you have a solution that works well for you.

I wasn't sure how these were going to work (even though there are several videos on YT where they are being used in RV specific applications), but decided it was worth a few bucks to give them a run (so much so that I just bought a few more).

One of the tests that I ran was with them connected "wide-open" and running packet analysis on any spurious traffic phoning home. I have had experiences in the past where even the non-Chinese chipsets were sending traffic in the background.

Other than normal LAN traffic, I did not see anything that caught my attention, even though that is not how they will be employed normally. That is not saying there isn't something I didn't see (which by now I think we all agree that is where technical layers come in), but I was pleasantly surprised.

 

[tabnab]

How far away from a router is your trailer.

 

[bobbygreenwell]

How far away from a router is your trailer.

Router is in the rig (Pepwave series) with as minimal interference in setup location as possible.

I have an application to do frequency survey(s), but that is mainly to check the congestion on the 2.4ghz band (this camera is not dual-band), but really haven't tested "range" from access point to end point, yet.

That is absolutely not a bad idea, though.....Rig is 36.5 ft, so there should theoretically never be a distance limitation), but it wouldn't be terrible information to have available.

 

[Rolleroo]

I like the idea of some form of security like this, but what's the use of putting a monitor in the rig itself?