Open cameras are often hijacked by malicious actors to join botnets (e.g., Mirai botnet) for launching DDoS attacks. How to Protect Your Network Camera

An unsecured IoT device like an IP camera is often a gateway into a larger corporate or home network. If an attacker gains administrative control over the camera's software, they may exploit unpatched firmware vulnerabilities to pivot onto the local network, intercepting data traffic or deploying malware. How to Protect Your Own Network Cameras

Most of these cameras come with a built-in web server. This allows the owner to log in via a browser to view the "viewerframe"—the live feed—and toggle "motion" settings. The problem arises when the "link" to this interface is left open to the public internet without a "401 Unauthorized" challenge (a password prompt). Privacy and Ethical Implications