Reset the Password on CCTV recorder or camera
Hey Everyone, Joe here- and today we’re covering the process of how to reset the password on a recorder or IP Camera. This process is designed to allow an owner, or authorized personnel who have administrator-level access to the system to reset the password on a recorder or IP camera if needed. First, we are going to talk about the importance of a password, and then we will discuss a few different reasons why one might find themselves in the scenario where they need to reset their password. Some of those circumstances are avoidable, while others aren’t as avoidable.
We set passwords on these devices for reasons that may seem obvious. That is, to prevent access by those who should not have access to this very private Audio/Video and personal data. For many, passwords seem like a frustrating headache- but they are there for your protection. Keep in mind that security systems of any kind, be they CCTV, alarms, access control, or anything else, are by their nature designed to be difficult to get into if you don’t have the credentials. They are not like online merchant accounts, social media accounts, or email accounts which will offer you a quick and easy confirmation path to password resetting. The types of methods usually offered by these services for password resetting are relatively insecure compared to security systems reset requirements which are more strict. In short- Security systems are designed to be secure and not to be easily accessed. This means, not having your own credentials is a situation you as a user are responsible for avoiding at all costs.
While not every password reset situation is avoidable, most of them are. In cases in which you should avoid resetting your password- you should always attempt to do so. For example, one reason an administrator or owner might choose to Reset the Password on a Recorder or IP camera is if they have forgotten the password they themselves had set. While this situation is not deliberate and is unfortunate, it is absolutely avoidable. There are many tools available today at our disposal that can help us securely store our passwords for our various access platforms and devices in private ways. It is best to set a password to something you can remember- but also isn’t simple for someone else to guess. You might consider using secure password storage software.
Another circumstance that can be avoided is if a malicious party gains access to the recorder by way of guessing or cracking the password. They might change your password, or they might not, but in either case, you will need to alter it. Complex passwords that use patternless symbols, numbers, and characters are the best because they are next to impossible to crack or guess. Simple passwords with common patterns like a family member’s name followed by sequential numbers (Michelle1234!) might be easy to remember, but that also means that they are too easy to guess.
Cracking is not the same as hacking. Hacking is not something that our recorders are easily susceptible to if placed on a secure network. Hacking also requires advanced coding knowledge and a level of effort usually far outweighing the benefit of hacking a recorder. Cracking, on the other hand, is the process of using a piece of software to ‘guess’ the password to something repeatedly using certain algorithms until it guesses correctly. More easily guessable passwords will also be more easily ‘cracked’. Both choosing a patternless password with a mix of character types, as well as ensuring your unit is on a network well protected and secured by IT professionals who know network security are important ways of preventing malicious access.
However, it may be that despite your best efforts- you cannot remember your password, or perhaps it has been changed by a malicious password cracker. Additionally, there are a few other circumstances where one might need to Reset the Password on a Recorder or IP camera that are not avoidable. Many times there is a single access account for the security system at a given location, and several employees might have these credentials. When one of these employees chooses to end their employment or is terminated, it’s a good idea to change the password in your CCTV systems to prevent possible outside access. This is especially true in situations in which the employment contract may not have ended in mutual favor. Additionally, if you feel that your password has been compromised for any reason, such as an unauthorized person(s) learning the password- it should be changed.
We’re going to show you how to Reset the Password on a Recorder or IP camera now. In order to do so there are some things you’ll need to know, and tools to have available. Then check out the video and/or read along with the text guide:
1.This guide is only for our Elite, or E series recorders and IP cameras. This guide does not apply to other series, or third party devices, always reach out to your manufacturer for issues with third-party equipment.
2. This guide may not work for Elite or E series recorders purchased before 2017. It may for some, but many recorders from before that time have different firmware and software which require a special reset procedure. If you are unable to follow this guide due to a lack of the explained options- please call tech support at 561-288-5258. Have An email address, account # or order # associated with the purchase ready for verification.
3. You’ll need to have a smartphone, either iOS or Android, and download the application Elite Viewer Pro.
4. If working with a recorder You’re going to need to have a local monitor and mouse attached. Some recorders can perform the password reset from their Web interface using a Windows PC running Internet Explorer- However, some can not and this varies often enough that it’s best to simply perform this reset locally.
5. For an IP Camera Reset, however, you’ll need access to the camera’s web interface by entering its IP address from a PC running internet explorer.
5. In either case you’ll also need access to the email account that was originally put into the recorder or camera on day one setup. It doesn’t matter where you view this email, as long as you can see it.
Okay, let’s get started:
Open up your camera or recorder’s login dialogue box by navigating to its web interface in internet explorer, or right-clicking the screen and clicking ‘main menu’ if you’re on a recorder’s local interface. If your recorder’s local interface is prompting you to use a pattern, click the forgot pattern option underneath to switch to password entry- this won’t be the case at all for. Once up, click ‘forgot password’. This will take us to another screen in which you’ll see a QR code.
Leave this screen up and do not close it at all. At this time, take out your smartphone and open up Elite Viewer Pro. Navigate to the “ME” option at the bottom right. From here, go to password security, and then choose reset the password. If it hasn’t already- the app will ask for permission to use your phone’s camera, make sure to tell it yes- or ok, and then wait for the camera to pop up. Line up the scanner with the QR code and scan. You should get a message saying “reset code successful”. At this time, go ahead and check your email for a message from the reset process. Make sure to check spam or other filter folders if it doesn’t appear in your primary inbox.
Inside this email will be a dynamic code, that you now must enter into the field on your recorder’s dialogue box. Once you enter the code, the recorder or camera will then give you the option to choose a new password. Recorders and Cameras of various ages will have differing minimum password strength requirements. We suggest using the advice above regarding having a password that is patternless and uses a variety of character types.
Once done, test your new password to make sure it’s working and that’s all there is to it.
Thanks for joining us today as we discussed how to Reset the Password on a Recorder or IP camera. For any questions on product compatibility, availability or any other information don’t hesitate to give our Sales Pro’s a call at 561-288-5258 . Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more Tutorials and CCTV info. Until Next time, Stay Safe!
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