Ahmedabad: Nearly 10 months after the Rajkot CCTV privacy scandal, Gujarat continues to face major cybersecurity threats. A recent study by a US-based cybersecurity expert reveals that 777 IP-based cameras in Gujarat are still vulnerable to hacking, highlighting a larger national concern with over 21,000 exposed cameras across India.

Key Findings: Vulnerable CCTV Cameras in Gujarat

• Total exposed cameras in Gujarat: 777

• Top affected cities:

  • Ahmedabad – 399

  • Surat – 166

  • Vadodara – 87

  • Rajkot – 33

  • Bhavnagar – 24

  • Gandhinagar – 20

• Type of devices affected: Baby monitors, home security cameras, small-business CCTVs

The study shows that weak digital security measures, including default factory passwords and poorly configured networks, allowed hackers to steal 50,000 private video clips from just 80 compromised IP cameras earlier this year. These clips were later distributed on Telegram groups and adult content platforms.

National Cybersecurity Concern

According to Paul Marrapese, an OSCP-certified cybersecurity researcher, the issue is not limited to Gujarat. Across India, 21,444 IP cameras were found online and susceptible to exploitation in 2025, with major cities affected as follows:

• Delhi: 2,914 compromised cameras

• Mumbai: 1,842

• Bengaluru: 1,205

• Hyderabad: 1,100

• Pune: 899

• Chennai: 823

• Kolkata: 683

Marrapese emphasizes that low-cost, convenience-focused cameras with weak security features make large-scale automated attacks possible. The Rajkot breach demonstrated that hospital wards, homes, theaters, and baby monitors are highly vulnerable to cybercrime.

Why These Cameras Are at Risk

• Predictable unique IDs (UIDs) allow hackers to easily locate devices online

• Factory default passwords like “admin123” are still widely used

• Lack of basic digital hygiene makes devices easy targets for automated hacking tools

• Small-scale devices like nanny cams and home IP cameras are particularly at risk

A senior Gujarat CID official warned that compromised dashboards can generate tens of thousands of video clips for illegal resale, affecting both privacy and public safety.

Call for Cybersecurity Awareness

Experts urge citizens, businesses, and institutions to:

• Change default passwords immediately

• Update device firmware regularly

• Avoid using predictable UIDs

• Use secure networks to protect privacy and sensitive data

Cybersecurity specialists stress that without proactive measures, personal safety, business security, and privacy remain at high risk across India.