As could a few others by closing the lid first and using the tape to stop it being opened .

The security hole for this type of Foscam camera that allows the so-called 'hackers' to gain access was patched back in April 2013.

It's on the Foscam website. it's on their blog. They even send out the notification as part of their mailing list.

So whoses fault for not updating the firmware?

The article I linked to does say about the April emergency patch . It also mentions a further update in June.

The vast majority do not read blogs about a simple gadget they have installed, not do they ever again go to the manufacturer's website. Even if they went there in the first place. Did you read the article? "Visitors to the firm's homepage do not see any notice of the critical upgrade."

I accept your point about they should have had an email. However there is no mention of Foscam having sent such an email except to people who have signed up to a firmware update newsletter. Only one retailer.

How likely is it that "It won't happen to us" will apply? I doubt if either email mentioned the database scraping used to trawl for potential targets.

Non-techie gadget buyers expect PnP and forget about it as long as it works.