South Korea arrests hackers who breached 120,000 home cameras to produce adult content

South Korean police have arrested four individuals accused of hacking more than 120,000 IP cameras installed in private homes and offices, BBC reports.

The footage obtained from these devices was allegedly used to create sexually explicit material, which was then distributed through an overseas website.

Investigators say the hackers exploited device vulnerabilities, including brute-forcing weak passwords, to gain access to the cameras. Among the compromised locations were private residences, karaoke rooms, Pilates studios and even gynecology clinics.

According to the National Police Agency, the suspects did not operate as a single group but acted independently.

• One suspect is accused of hacking 63,000 cameras, producing 545 explicit videos and selling them for 35 million won (about 23,800 USD) in cryptocurrency.
• Another gained access to 70,000 cameras, earning 18 million won (about 12,200 USD) from the sale of 648 videos.

Together, the two individuals are believed to be responsible for 62 percent of all content uploaded to the illegal site over the past year.

Authorities have begun the process of blocking the website and are working with international agencies to identify its operator. Police have also visited victims in 58 locations, helping them change passwords and remove the content from the web.