Hacking Area 51: Accessing The Camera Feeds

The U.S. Air Force installation Area 51, located in Nevada, has long been the subject of fascination and conspiracy theories, with rumours of UFO sightings and alien technology testing. While the base was only officially acknowledged by the U.S. military in 2013, its existence and activities remain shrouded in secrecy, sparking curiosity among many. This has led some to consider hacking as a means to access Area 51's security cameras and uncover its mysteries. However, attempting to hack into any system, especially a highly secure government facility, carries significant risks and may result in serious legal consequences.

Identify the IP address range for the CCTV cameras

To identify the IP address range for the CCTV cameras, you can follow these steps:

Firstly, it is important to understand the basics of IP addresses and their role in network devices. An IP address is like a digital postal address assigned to devices connected to a computer network. It enables data transmission and communication between devices. IP addresses typically fall within certain ranges, such as 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255 or 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255.

Now, to identify the IP address range for the CCTV cameras, you can employ the following methods:

• Use the manufacturer's tool or software: Each CCTV camera manufacturer provides specific software or tools to locate the IP address of their cameras. For example, Hikvision cameras can be located using the Hikvision SADP tool, while Samsung cameras can be found using the Wisenet Device Manager.
• Check your router's IP address list: Your router's configuration software or settings page will often display a list of all connected devices and their IP addresses. By identifying the unique MAC address of the CCTV camera, you can easily find its corresponding IP address in this list.
• Scan the network for connected devices: Utilise a network scanner tool, such as Angry IP or Advanced IP Scanner, to scan and locate the IP addresses of all connected devices, including CCTV cameras.
• Run a network packet sniffer: Tools like Wireshark can be used to analyse network packets and identify the IP address of your CCTV cameras. This method is versatile and effective for most devices.
• Use the camera's UPnP features: If your CCTV cameras support the UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) protocol, you can use dedicated software or apps to discover devices on your network that utilise UPnP. This can help you locate the IP addresses of your cameras.

By employing these methods, you can identify the IP address range for the CCTV cameras in your network. Remember to also consider the network setup and configuration, as IP addressing can vary depending on the network architecture and device connections.

Download and install an IP scanner

To hack Area 51's security cameras, you would first need to be on site. It is also important to note that attempting to hack the US Department of Defense will likely result in several federal charges.

Assuming you are on site, you can download and install an IP scanner to find the security cameras on the local network. One such IP scanner is Angry IP Scanner, which is free and open-source. It is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux. Angry IP Scanner can be downloaded and installed on Windows by using the Windows installer, which includes Java Runtime. On Mac, the bundle for Mac Intel or Mac ARM (M1/M2) can be downloaded and then opened by right-clicking. Angry IP Scanner also provides installation instructions on their website for various Linux distributions, including Ubuntu/Debian/Mint and Fedora/RedHat/Mageia/openSUSE.

Another option for Windows users is Advanced IP Scanner, which is also free and compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7.

Configure the IP scanner for CCTV camera hacking

To configure the Angry IP Scanner to hack into CCTV cameras, follow these steps:

Step 1: Configure the Angry IP Scanner settings

• To find the information for hacking into CCTV cameras, we need to look for IP cameras with Angry IP Scanner. So, configure the following default ports for cameras: 80, 23, 8080, 8081, and 8082.
• You can configure the fetchers to display the Web Detect information that can help detect web camera devices.

Step 2: Choose the IP address and port range to scan

• To hack a CCTV camera, first, find the exact IP address and port. Choose an IP address range to scan with the Angry IP scanner.
• For privacy and legal reasons, do not show the first part of the IP. Only scan a few times to find CCTV cameras that are online on the network.
• In the example provided, after a few scans, two Hikvision DVRs that are online on the network were found.
• You can also do this on the internet, but it is not recommended as you will be pinging a lot of devices, which may have legal consequences, especially for government and army-related IPs.

Step 3: Note the manufacturer and device model on the banner

• Once you have found the IP address and port, note the manufacturer and device model. Then, search for vulnerabilities and default passwords for the same—Google is a perfect place for finding default passwords.
• The same process can be used for all other camera brands as well. As long as you know the IP address and the port of the camera, you can directly open the control interface and then search on Google for the default username and password.

Start the IP range scanning

To initiate the IP range scanning for Area 51's camera systems, you'll need to identify the IP address range used by their network infrastructure. This can be done by scanning for active IP addresses within a specific range. Start by determining the IP address range that Area 51 might be using. This information may be challenging to obtain, but with diligent research and possibly some insider knowledge, you might be able to narrow down a range of IP addresses to target.

Utilize IP scanning tools to systematically scan through the identified IP address range. These tools will help you identify active IP addresses within that range, indicating potential network devices or cameras in use. It's important to note that Area 51's network might be highly secure, with strict firewalls and access controls, so your scanning attempts may face significant obstacles.

During the scanning process, pay close attention to any responsive IP addresses that indicate active devices. These could be potential entry points for further investigation. Take note of any patterns or anomalies in the IP addresses, as they might provide clues about the network architecture and device types in use.

Additionally, consider employing port scanning techniques to identify specific ports that are open or in use within the identified IP address range. Different ports are used for different services, and by understanding which ports are active, you can gain insights into the types of devices or systems in operation, including camera systems.

Remember, the scanning process should be systematic and thorough. Cover the entire identified IP address range to maximize your chances of discovering vulnerable or accessible devices. The more comprehensive your scan, the better your understanding of their network infrastructure, which is crucial for identifying potential weaknesses or entry points.

While performing these scans, always ensure you are operating within legal boundaries and adhering to ethical hacking practices. The consequences of unauthorized access can be severe, and it's important to respect the privacy and security measures in place, especially for a sensitive location like Area 51.

Crack the CCTV camera password

Step 1: Download Angry IP Scanner

Angry IP Scanner is a powerful GUI port scanner available for all major operating systems.

Step 2: Opt for an IP Address Range

Choose the correct IP address range for CCTV camera hacking. CCTV cameras are typically connected to a broadband internet connection. If your access is through a broadband router, find your public IP address by typing "My IP" into Google. Your IP range could be, for example, 77.247.181.1 to 77.247.181.255 or 77.247.181.1 to 77.247.185.255.

Step 3: Organize Angry IP for CCTV Camera Hacking

Open Angry IP Scanner, go to Tools > Preferences > Ports, and add ports 80, 8080, and 23 in the Port Selection tab. You can also add web detect, which will help you detect and show short details about the device details connected to the internet.

Step 4: Start IP Range Scanning

Add the IP range in the IP range tab and click start. After scanning, you will find information in the web detect tab, such as the model and manufacturer of the CCTV camera.

Step 5: Default Username and Password

Most CCTV cameras and routers are configured with default usernames and passwords. For example, the username might be "admin," and the password might be "admin," blank, or a common password like "12345." You can also find default username and password lists by searching online.

Step 6: Crack the CCTV Camera Password Using Hydra

If the default password doesn't work, you will need to crack it. Hydra is a powerful brute force tool that can crack CCTV camera passwords. Use the following commands:

• -s 80 to define the port number
• -L admin to specify the default login name as admin
• -P /root/desktop/worldlist.txt to choose your word list for brute force
• -e to attempt an empty password
• Ns to try "login" as the password and try an empty password
• Http to specify the port name for the attack

Additional Tips:

• Many people do not change the default username and password on their CCTV cameras, making it easy for hackers to gain access.
• CCTV cameras can be hacked even if they are not connected to WiFi or the internet.
• It is possible to change or manipulate CCTV footage, just like in the movies.

Frequently asked questions