Home security brand Ring is expanding end-to-end encryption (also known as E2EE) support to more devices, while also introducing new data transfer capabilities. This is a welcome security update, but it also forces some useful Ring features to be disabled.
Before, E2EE only works with wired products like Ring Video Doorbell Pro and Floodlight Cam.Now This support is migrating Go to Ring’s wireless cameras and doorbells. However, it’s not known if everything in the lineup will get it. The announcement did not say whether all wireless devices will support E2EE.Although there are Report (opens in new tab) Description support is indeed universal. We reached out to the company to see if it could clear up the confusion. This story will be updated if we hear back.
As for the new data transfer tool, it’s called Deactivated Device State. It allows users to save past recordings from old Ring devices to their account. This way, you don’t have to manually download each video one by one. However, users must remain Ring subscribers to use this tool. Otherwise, they have to download everything to their local computer before the company deletes the video.
Instructions on how to save the recording and deactivate the device can be Found on Ring’s website (opens in new tab). It will involve updating the Ring mobile app and going into the device’s personal settings to keep events.
end-to-end encryption
Either way, if you have a wireless ring camera or doorbell, we recommend updating your mobile app to see if E2EE is available.The company has a Instruction Set (opens in new tab) How to set up end-to-end encryption is detailed on its website. Similar to deactivating device status, you must update the app and go into the control center. From there, activate E2EE, create a passcode, and add any device you want.
Enabling E2EE is worthwhile as it obviously improves the security of the Ring Device. Video recorded on Ring cameras is uploaded to the company’s cloud storage, which, it turns out, isn’t the most secure.The company has a history of security issues, ranging from 1,500 passwords compromised dark web possible Giving hackers a way to steal Wi-Fi from the house.
With end-to-end encryption, your recording data is protected and unreadable. No one — not Ring, Amazon, hackers, or even the government — can view your encrypted video. All they get is a mess of data. Only Ring users and their connected devices can view the recorded video.
That said, having this level of security is problematic. End-to-end encryption on Ring devices actually disables many features, including bird’s-eye views, virtual security guards, event timelines, and Alexa Greetings, to name a few.This Full list of disabled features (opens in new tab) It can be found on the company website. Users basically have to ask themselves if better security is worth the loss of convenience.
Given Ring’s history, it might be better to opt for security.
room for improvement
Expanded E2EE support and new data transfer features are great, but Ring still has room for improvement. Cybersecurity research firm Checkmarx A vulnerability was recently discovered in the Ring Android app that could allow “threats to steal identity data, including geolocation and camera recordings.” On top of that, someone could use this vulnerability to upload malware to an Android phone and steal more sensitive data, including addresses.
The scary thing is that theRing Android app has more than 10 million downloads. Now that end-to-end encryption is available for most of RIng’s products, it may be time for the company to patch its own security holes and stop leaks from continuing.
If you’re interested in strengthening your home security, be sure to check out TechRadar’s list of the best home security systems for 2022.