Ways to Keep an Eye on Your Home

Your home's security is your number one priority. Whether public or private, having a home security system is essential. There are numerous security systems that you can use to keep your home safe from burglars. These systems include home alarm systems, CCTV cameras, and alarm sirens. However, it is necessary to monitor these devices to ensure they are working properly. Here are ways to keep an eye on your home.

Install a Home Alarm System

A smart alarm system is one of the most effective ways to keep an eye on your home. It is a simple alarm system that will alert you if there is any security breach in your home. Home alarm systems are available in various types, including wireless and hardwired models. You can also choose from different brands to ensure that you get the best solutions for your home security needs.

Install CCTV Cameras

CCTV cameras are another effective home security device. A CCTV camera is a security system consisting of digital video cameras connected to a monitor or your phone. You can use it to observe your surroundings at any time of the day, whether you’re in your house or not. Most systems come with the ability to record the images produced by the camera, which can come in handy if you need what you capture for evidence.

A video surveillance system is a must-have for securing your home. It can record video footage and store it in a digital format. You can view the stored footage anytime you want. CCTV camera systems are available in various sizes and styles so that you can choose the one that best suits your needs and requirements.

Install Motion Sensor Lights

Motion sensor lights effectively detect motion inside the house at night or during daytime hours. They detect any movement and loud noises such as footsteps, which can be dangerous. You can install these lights on the stairs, front door, or any other area where you need to keep watch.

Motion sensor lights are very useful and are very affordable. They can be installed in various places of your house so that you can monitor your surroundings at all times of the day.

A home security system is a must-have for any homeowner. It will ensure the safety of your family and property. And by installing an alarm siren or a CCTV, you can keep an eye on your home at all times.

Installing a Security System at Home? 4 Solid Reasons for Doing So

Not every home has a security system, but the technology now exists where it certainly can. From basic systems to advanced technology, you can get a security system for your home, no matter its age, that suits your needs and budget. If you're not sure why you should do this, then you should know that there are actually many reasons why.

Prevent Burglaries

The primary benefit of a security system is preventing trouble rather than reacting to it. Most burglars and other people who would violate your property are dramatically less inclined to do so when they know a security system is active and in place.

Save Money

Call your homeowner's insurance policy provider and ask them if they offer a discount for having a security system. Most do, and the savings can be in the double digits in terms of the percentage off your premiums. If they don't, then consider shopping around for new home insurance, because this discount is available more often than not.

Remote Control

Nearly any modern security system is going to enable remote control over your front door and other entry points. You can control who has access to your home and see who visits when you're not there. Even if perpetrators aren't a problem, this can be an effective means of parental control over your children, even if you just use it to supervise them.

Improved Power Management

Saving money on your monthly power bill might be a benefit from a security system that surprises you, but it is possible in some circumstances. Smart home technology can include thermostats, video doorbells, and locks. You can use an online-enabled device to alter your thermostat even after you left your home. You might even be able to disable specific power outlets if you think you left an appliance plugged in. Turn lights on and off from anywhere to make it look like people are home even when you aren't.

The biggest benefit of installing a security system might just be the peace of mind that comes with it. While no system can prevent everything, you'll take comfort in knowing that a lot of it is prevented and you'll be made aware of anything that does happen. Some systems will even have options for contacting law enforcement or the appropriate first responders based on the circumstances.

How to Choose the Perfect Security System for Your Home

Your home’s security system is an essential line of defense protecting you, your loved ones and your valuables from the world’s many dangers. A system with such a vital function deserves all the attention and funding you can spare. Check out these tips to help you choose the perfect security system for your home.

Evaluate Your Home

The first thing you want to do when choosing your security system is evaluate your home and its contents. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Who do I need to protect?

• What do I need to protect?

• What threats do they need protection from?

• How can those threats get into my home?

• How can I stop them?

Your security system will vary based on your home’s number of occupants, the valuables inside, the house’s size and structure, and the community surrounding it. Once you get to the final question, you can determine what features your system will need.

Determine the Security Measures You Need

Your perfect security system will have all the equipment and features needed to address your home’s internal and external threats. With that in mind, you should know the standard security devices and their functions.

Here are the main tools that specialize in protecting against threats outside the home:

• Video doorbell

• Security cameras

• Floodlights

• Motion sensors

• Door/window sensors

• Glass break sensors

Here are the main tools that protect against threats inside the home:

• Carbon monoxide detector

• Flood sensor

• Freeze sensor

• Smoke/fire alarm

Some tools and features protect against both external and internal threats:

• Nanny cam

• Panic pendant

• Two-way voice alarm

• Professional monitoring

• Smart home technology

Estimate Costs

You can calculate a rough cost estimate once you decide which features to add. Your security system’s expenses will come from several different avenues:

• Equipment 

• Installation

• Activation

• Monitoring

• Contract requirements

Equipment costs will widely vary by provider and package. Some require you to sign long-term contracts and others are open-ended. Your provider should be honest with you about any contractual obligations.

Some providers also charge activation fees, especially for packages specializing in handling specific threats. The monitoring method you choose will also substantially impact total costs. You can either pay the provider to monitor your home’s security devices (professional monitoring) or keep track of them yourself (DIY monitoring).

If you choose professional monitoring, your provider will give you three options, ranking from least to most expensive:

• Landline: The provider uses the home’s landline to connect to the monitoring center

• Broadband: The provider uses your internet to connect to the monitoring center

• Cellular: A chip built into your cellphone sends alerts to the monitoring center

All monitoring options operate in a timely fashion, but intruders can easily tamper with landlines, and broadband connections can be unstable. If your home phone loses connection or your internet crashes, so does the monitoring service. Cellular is the best choice of the three and thus the most costly.

You can elect to pay your provider to install the system or do it yourself. Most providers will offer you preprogrammed systems with adhesive equipment, meaning you don’t have to drill any holes or make other structural changes if you DIY.

Use the Right Network

Choosing the right network is paramount to your security system’s success. You can select from two network types:

• Wired network: Choose this network if you live in an area with a sparse or unstable internet connection. Landline monitoring systems fall into this category.

• Wireless network: Choose this network if you have a stable internet or cellular connection. These systems don’t require professional installation, and you can control the different devices via an app on your cellphone.

Wireless certainly sounds better based on those descriptions, but it all depends on where you live and what equipment you need, so keep your options open.

You Can Find the Perfect Security System

The perfect security system doesn’t exist by default, but you can find a package that fits your conditions. Evaluate your situation, determine the features you need, calculate how much you need to pay and get in touch with your local providers. With all that knowledge at your disposal, you and the security professionals can create a plan tailored directly to your home.

Guest Post - Best Practices for Keeping your At-Home Devices Safe from Cyberthreats

Nowadays, it would be difficult to imagine any modern home without a high-speed internet connection and a plethora of connected smart devices that range from computers to televisions. These devices make life easier for many people, but it is important to remember that they also make it easier for cybercriminals to gain access to your files and devices. The question that this poses is: What can be done to keep at-home devices safe while still enjoying the advantages that they offer? Read on to discover how you can stay safe in a connected world.

More Devices, More Possible Intrusion Points –

It is important to remember that any device that connects to an unsecured network can serve as an entry point for malicious software and because of this all devices should be secured against cyber threats. Devices like computers, smartphones, and tablets can all be secured by installing antivirus software or applications but the best way to secure other devices is by making sure that your router is configured properly to prevent unauthorized access.

Always Observe Safe Browsing Behavior –

Following simple safe browsing rules such as not opening email attachments from unknown sources or downloading files from sketchy websites can save you from inadvertently infecting your home network with malware. Viruses are often disguised as communication from reliable sources such as banks to dupe people into installing the virus or malware. One way to spot a fake file is to check the file extension, for example, an account statement would usually have the extension .pdf and not .zip or .exe.

Install and Use Antivirus Software –

Make sure that you have an antivirus application installed on all devices that can accept one. There are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to antivirus applications but all of them are dependent on regular updates and scans to function correctly. Make sure that you set up the software to perform automated scans and that real-time protection features are enabled so that threats are detected immediately. In addition to this, you might want to consider using advanced firewall software which adds another layer of protection.

Change Default Passwords Immediately –

Most routers ship with a default username and password. This username and password must be changed to unique values immediately. In most cases, the default usernames and passwords for routers are available on the internet which means that accessing a router with default credentials is child’s play for most cybercriminals. Changing this information is simple and doesn’t require any advanced technical knowledge but it can save you a lot of trouble further down the line.

Increase the Security of your Wi-Fi Network –

Most newer routers offer several security options. Make sure that you select WEP or WEP2 instead of WPA as this setting offers better protection against intrusion. This setting can usually be changed in the router or wireless access point. Along with this, enable the guest network feature, if your router supports this function. By doing this, the router will create a separate network for guests to use when they need to access the internet from your home. The separation of your devices from that of guests adds an additional layer of security to your home network and avoids the need to share your network password with others.

Scan USB Devices –

Portable data storage devices like external hard drives and USB flash drives offer the perfect transportation method for infected files. You can avoid introducing a virus to your network by scanning USB devices before opening any files. This is especially important in the case of devices that might have been used on unsecured networks. It is also important to remember to securely destroy any data that is no longer needed because the data could be accessed if the USB device gets lost or stolen. Data destruction is a great way to make sure that any information that is no longer needed cannot be stolen, which increases safety greatly.

Check Your Network Frequently –

You can use specialized applications and tools to scan your network for any vulnerabilities such as open ports or weak passwords. By doing this, you can quickly identify any problems and rectify them before they can be used for nefarious purposes. Hackers are not all that different from thieves in that they would rather pick an easy target than a difficult one, ensuring that there are no obvious problems with your network makes you a less attractive target.

Take the Time to Configure Software Properly –

Software such as firewalls are often pre-configured to allow certain communications and disallow others. However, most software can be customized to allow only the communication that you need. For instance, if you are not participating in any online games, there is no reason for the ports that games use to communicate to be open.

Conclusion

As our lives become more and more digital, the number of smart devices in our homes will increase and it is now more important than ever to be vigilant. Following these simple steps can go a long way towards securing your home network and keeping your private information private.

Author Bio: This article was written by Eloise Tobler of Wisetek. Wisetek are global leaders in IT Asset Disposition, Data Destruction, & IT Reuse.