TIFU by Not Realizing My Security Cameras Were Hacked 3 Months Ago

TLDR: I Raised He** with Spectrum for 3 months Because my Internet Shut Off Every 30 seconds - 1 min 24/7 for 3 Months Straight until I discovered the problem was my security cameras were hacked

I have Spectrum broadband Internet, and starting at the beginning of February, my Internet service started a constant on/off/on/off cycle. The internet cut out every minute (sometimes every 30 seconds), would stay off between 1-10 min, come back on, cut out again, repeat. It happened all day and all night without cease.

Over the course of the last 3 months, I've called Spectrum complaining about their signal probably 30-40 times. They started off by sending technicians out. I was told "It's your Modem and router", so I replaced my modem and router 6 times over the 3 months. I replaced all ethernet cables. Once, they told me it was my wiring and that I had to hire an electrician to come to my home to run a dedicated, grounded line straight from the breaker box to the outlet where the modem was plugged in. That cost me $300.

Twice, they said they found the problem. It was something at the node and on the pole, so they sent bucket trucks and "fixed it". Except it wasn't fixed. I couldn't do online school, watch a movie, or do anything online because the Internet would never stay on more than 1 min. at a time. I installed an Internet Connection Monitor, and in a 24-hour period, it would record over 1300 disconnects. I was beyond frustrated and infuriated.

After the first 4 or 5 tech visits, my problem was escalated to the Quality Team, Supervisors, and several other "higher ups". I had their cell phone numbers on speed dial, and when I'd get so frustrated (which was often), I'd call, text, send screenshots of my connection log, and just bug them to come and fix THEIR problem.

They replaced the coaxial cable in my house and the ones outside. They switched the pole where I got service from, switching from the pole in front of my house to the one across the street. One of the higher-ups was friendly and concerned, and he was determined to find the cause "until it was fixed". But for 3 months, no one could fix it.

Two days ago, another supervisor came out for the (maybe) 8th or 9th tech visit. All signals and lines were checked, inside and out. I succinctly stated, "This is NOT my problem! I've done everything imaginable to fix my equipment, my wiring, my everything. I swear on everything that is holy that this IS YOUR problem - it's a problem with your signal!"

He says to me, "I just had a similar problem with a woman in PA. She had a teen who played fortnite all day. Some of these gamer kids, when you make them mad, they launch DDoS attacks. They can do a traceroute, get your IP, and perpetrate constant attacks, shutting down your service. I think you're a victim of DDoS attacks".

Here's an interesting side note:

For over a week, my internet hadn't been on for more than 1 minute at a time. I have security cameras, one of which is aimed at the driveway. When the Spectrum truck pulled in yesterday, suddenly, for the first time in I don't even know how long, the INTERNET STAYED ON. The tech and supervisor were here for 35 minutes, and the Internet never cut out once! Which was just unheard of.

So his verdict was that I was getting DDoS attacks. I didn't believe him because it's my understanding that DDoS attacks are limited in scope. They happen for a set period of time, maybe 3 days or so. NOT 24/7 for THREE MONTHS STRAIGHT.

As soon as he left, I switched Spectrum's router back to my new Netgear Nighthawk router. I went into the settings, and it lists all attacks, when they occurred, and at what device on the network. I had used this router just one day - May 23 - before Spectrum told me that, if they were to help me, I had to use THEIR router. So after that one day, I unplugged mine and went back to using theirs.

So when I opened the attack list, I had data from that one day, and I saw 45 attacks that listed my security cameras. Strange....So I immediately unplugged my cameras from the Internet. SUDDENLY, my internet worked! It stayed on. a day later - STILL ON! No cutting off! Two days later - still on! No problem!

So I started searching for information on security cameras getting hacked and DDoS attacks. Turns out, hacking security cameras is common and many hackers have used hacked security cameras to launch DDoS attacks. That can overwhelm the router, causing it to shut off temporarily. My Swann security cameras are over 17 years old, and I don't think they have any encryption.

According to the Internet, many people never realize their security cameras or other IoT devices are hacked. Signs to look for are (1) strange voices coming through (mine have no sound), (2) settings have changed (mine have no settings to change), and (3) weird pan/tilt/zoom behavior (mine don't move). I also read that there's a website that hackers use (well, probably more than one) where they list details of insecure/hacked security cameras and other IoT devices, so at that point, others can jump on the bandwagon.

Another interesting note: 2 members of my household had ALL accounts hacked 3 times - these accounts included google, PlayStation, discord, steam, bank, etc. Passwords were changed, strong passwords used, different passwords for different sites, etc. Malware scanners scanned the computers daily, etc. And yet it kept happening. I had a list of passwords in a text file on my computer that listed a friend's accounts (4 of them) who is in another country, and one day ALL those accounts of hers got hacked. In my research yesterday, I learned that hackers use a "Land and Expand" technique where they gain access through insecure security cameras or other IoT devices and then use that to access all other devices on the network.

It is SUCH a relief to have Internet service again! Lesson learned.

https://imgur.com/P6okW6n