POE camera that does not require java, app, windows etc

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Red Squirrel
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2012 2:00 am

POE camera that does not require java, app, windows etc

Post by Red Squirrel »

Looking for recommendation for a ZM compatible 48v poe outdoor/indoor camera that has a simple web interface that does not require Windows software, Java or ActiveX or anything like that. I run Linux, and also use a custom rom on my phone, so don't want to have to deal with apps either. They are planned obsolescence in my mind as you're at the mercy of them always being available in the future when you change phones. And of course I need it to be 100% local, no cloud. Oh and ideally I want HD. 4k would be a bonus. Don't want to pay more than $200/camera.

I know this is a pretty specific list of requirements but anyone have recommendations for cameras that would fit? I'm in Canada so it needs to be something that would be purchasable here as well. Been searching myself but lot of them don't even specify these "gotchas" and I find out through other sources when doing further research. Like I was looking at Foscam since I found a Canadian site for them, but through a post on a forum I found you need windows software to configure them... so I just don't want to end up buying something and then finding that out after the fact. Looking for someone that can specifically vouch from experience and not just go by the site description as they don't always specify this stuff.
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iconnor
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Re: POE camera that does not require java, app, windows etc

Post by iconnor »

Annke (HIkvision) fits the bill. Good quality, low price. Just lock down from the internet.
Red Squirrel
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2012 2:00 am

Re: POE camera that does not require java, app, windows etc

Post by Red Squirrel »

When you say to lock down is it because this is some weird Chinese one that has malware in it? Is there any chance of that malware spreading to my machine, ex: via the web interface? I do plan to setup a dedicated vlan for the cameras where only the ZM server will have access to but I want to make sure I'm not opening myself up to an attack via web browser or anything like that. Ex: when doing initial config.

I have not found anything on this while researching though... so I am leaning towards these as I found a site that sells them here in Canada and they're very cheap. Can't find one for Hikvision.

Probably will go with this one:

https://ca-en.annke.com/products/c800?v ... 1650268435

If I like it I'll order more to do the rest of house.
mikb
Posts: 673
Joined: Mon Mar 25, 2013 12:34 pm

Re: POE camera that does not require java, app, windows etc

Post by mikb »

Red Squirrel wrote: Sat Sep 21, 2024 6:27 pm When you say to lock down is it because this is some weird Chinese one that has malware in it?
Yes. Some would regard the default behaviour of certain camera's firmware as "malware" from the factory!

They tend to like to call home. For no good reason -- well, no good for you. So things like forcibly going off to access a Chinese DNS or NTP Timeserver, even if you have set a local one. And a regular firewall won't stop that, because it's the camera making connections OUT to the internet. So you need specific rules to say the IP range of the cameras, or the whole VLAN/LAN, cannot make outgoing connections.

Then there's backdoors in the cameras where you can access them remotely -- mostly a firewall WILL save you from this as it is an incoming attack. Undocumented URLs that let you access a live image/video stream. Or get it to disgorge its current settings including password or WiFi credentials. Yes, that's horrible, and it exists ... through to default accounts that you can't see in the GUI and can't remove. Ugh.

So trusting a secondary device (firewall) to isolate them is the best way.
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