CNET has started recommending Wyze security cameras again. Here’s what’s changed

It’s been over two years since Wyze became infamous Security camera Issues, including event Where 13,000 customers They exposed their home video feeds to complete strangers. we I stopped recommending it Wyze security cameras around that time out of privacy and safety concerns. Now, things are starting to change.

When we reconsider recommending a security brand after a mess like Wyze, we look for several signs that the company is trustworthy and has reliable security for your home and your loved ones. This includes:

• New improvements to security processes and protocols, specifically addressing previous issues
• Continuous improvement of security and audits
• Be transparent with CNET and consumers about their security processes and fix past flaws
• An extended period without any new security incidents, preferably a few years
• Hands-on testing of the brand’s latest devices to ensure quality and performance

Wyze isn’t the first brand we’ve come under this kind of scrutiny. Companies like Eufy and bell They are currently on our best lists because they have addressed past security breaches and associated fallout, made improvements and established a new safety record.

Now, you’ll start seeing Wyze products appear again in our security lists as well. This includes innovative ones Wise window camera And the Wyze v4 camera, one of the company’s newest security offerings. After testing devices like this, I’m happy to start clicking on Wyze for relevant recommendations, especially since it’s one of the few security companies that offers free object detection (e.g. packages, animals, etc.).

Now let’s take a closer look at how Wyze handles its security.

What has changed at WISE?

In the months following the Wyze security camera hacks, the company made several changes, including creating 10 to 12 new engineering positions to streamline and “stress test” its code and reduce reliance on third parties, as well as penetration testing to look for more flaws.

If you want all the details, you’ll find it Wyze’s current security and compliance rules are herewhere the company provides information about its encryption practices, vulnerability disclosures, its bug bounty program, and more. Many of these steps are newer additions from the past two years.

Wyze has also taken more unique steps, Including a process called VerifiedViewwhich uses metadata as a form of authentication for any photos or footage on your Wyze security camera. Only the account to which this camera was added has permission to view its video, a move that specifically addresses previous security breaches.

By following steps like these, Wyze has gone two years without any serious security incidents. This is the kind of record we would like to see before turning to a security company for our home and privacy needs again. It’s also enough time for Wyze to release new, updated devices ready for testing.

CNET’s approach to the drawbacks of home security and your privacy

Okay, but what happens if Wyze or another home security brand experiences a new data breach or similar issue, like strangers being able to access cameras? Mass attacks searching for vulnerabilities online are common, and it can be difficult to know when a company will be affected by lax security measures – and if that means we have to pull their products from our site.

At CNET, when these issues arise, we ask several questions to determine whether we should discontinue brand recommendations:

• How does a security issue directly affect users’ privacy or personal information?
• Does the company respond immediately by communicating strongly with customers and resolving the problem effectively?
• Is the security issue an isolated incident, or is it part of a pattern of security vulnerabilities that have occurred over time?
• How long has it been since the last incident? Has the company improved its approach to security to avoid vulnerabilities in its consumer devices?

When the answers to these questions are not complementary, we make decisions such as the original removal of Wyze products. If something similar happens to A Home technology brandWe’ll let you know exactly what’s going on and whether we’re making any changes to our recommendations. For now, Wyze has won a new opportunity.