security Archives - Serendipity Mommy

What to Consider When Choosing a Home Security System

May 7, 2019 by Mandy

A home burglary occurs about every 20 seconds in the United States, the FBI reports. Whether you live in a big city or small town, there’s good reason to implement your own home security monitoring system.

But not all home security monitoring systems provide the same protection and features. And oftentimes, security cameras are chosen based on assumptions and home security trends rather than the facts. When it comes to extreme heat or cold temperatures, not all home security systems stand up to the elements. On top of that, some popular systems don’t offer features such as night vision, ultra-wide angle lens and integrations with third-party voice assistance services like Amazon Alexa.

Keep your home and family safe. Make sure that your home security monitoring system checks all of the boxes before it is installed.

Choose a system that is weatherproof

When searching for a home security system, it is important to choose a model that is weatherproof. Certain types of monitoring systems can stand up to extreme elements such as heavy rainstorms, snow storms, sub-zero temperatures in freezing climates and even blistering hot temperatures without fail. IP66-rated systems are tested in all types of inclement weather situations and have been proven to withstand dust and water. Additionally, some systems are equipped with weather-proof receivers so that you’ll never lose your connection, no matter what the weather looks like outside.

Make sure the system has night vision technology

Night vision, or thermo-sensor technology, is designed to detect motion patterns emitted from warm objects including animals, people and vehicles. For example, when a warm object passes by the system ambient energy levels change; this change sets off the motion sensor of the home security monitoring system, which signals for the camera to start recording both video and audio. Thermo-sensor technology reduces the number of false alarms, as it does not start recording objects without heat patterns. Furthermore, motion-based recording features can reduce the overall amount of recorded data that is stored on the hard drive since the system is only recording movement, not recording 24/7.

Look for a system that has an ultra-wide angle lens

No matter the size of your home and property, you should be able to feel safe. When choosing your security monitoring system, look for a model that offers a 140-degree wide-angle lens. This type of lens is great for large, open areas like your backyard or your front lawn. The wide range allows for the system to detect motion earlier and start recording the person or object that triggered the motion alert, which means the image will be captured for a longer period of time and will remain on the screen longer.

Don’t become a statistic — install a home security system before it is too late. And beware, you should not choose your home security monitoring system just because it is popular or because it is trending online. Pick a home security system that will actually protect your home and your family. There are a variety of home security monitoring systems that are easy to install, that can connect to your mobile device and that offer features such as ultra-wide angle lenses, night vision technology and that can stand up to even the most extreme weather situations.

How to Ensure That Your Home Network is Locked Down And Secure

July 14, 2018 by anthony

Our homes have been utterly transformed in the last decade or so, as technology has given us a huge amount of exciting new offerings. Most homes these days have wireless networks in their homes which are used to power computers, laptops, tablets, phones and all manner of other smart devices, making our lives easier and ultimately, that little bit more fun. Unfortunately however, as with many new technologies, there often risks attached. When it comes to your home’s wireless network, there is also a risk, a risk that someone may be able to remotely enter our network, giving them access to all types of sensitive information. With some smart decisions however, here is how you can lock down your home network, to keep people out of your private lives.

Changing SSID

Your SSID is the name of your wireless router and it is important that you change the name of this as soon as possible. The simple reason for this is that in doing so it is far harder for people to know what kind of router you have. Try to be creative with the name, and don’t simply put the family name as this will instantly identify who’s it is.

One For All Product

The easiest way to entirely lock down your home network security is to use a product which can simply be connected to your home network, and will instantly block any threats. Companies such as Bitdefender have easy to install boxes which you can use to monitor activity in the home such as parental controls, as well as automatically blocking and notifying you of any foul play.

Router Placement

The placement of your router can also contribute towards securing your home network and it is advisable that you place it in the center of the home. The reason for this is so that you can give equal access to the internet from all rooms in the home, but more importantly so that the signal does not stretch too far outside of the walls of the home.

Upping Your Password Game

The password to access your router, or indeed to access the internet, should always be a tough to guess password. Simply having usernames like ‘admin’ and password as ‘password’ or something equally as basic, might as well be an invitation for others to access your home network.

Software Update

The software which your router uses should be regularly kept up to date. Companies will alter and amend their software to stay ahead of security threats which is why it is important that you regularly check for upgrades.

Switching Off

Make sure that you switch off your router or any devices connected via ethernet when you know that you are not going to be at home for extended periods of time. The reason for this is very simple, if someone with bad intentions wants to hack your home network, doing so whilst you are not at home provides them the perfect window of opportunity.

Don’t think that it cannot happen to you, make sure that your home security is locked down.

The Best Devices For Keeping Your Family And Your House Safe

February 23, 2018 by Mandy

Although it isn’t a pleasurable thought, and the idea of someone breaking into your home is enough to send shivers down your spine, you must prepare for any possibility. Therefore, you have to ensure that you’re equipped to either discourage the thieves before the theft takes place, or to catch the perpetrators in the hope of being reunited with your belongings. As you’ll agree, protecting your home and your family is paramount, and there are ways of doing your very best to employ preventative measures with the help of devices and gadgets. You want to protect your family, your home and your possessions by any means possible, so it’s important to get to grips with new technology that will enable you to do exactly this.

Motion Sensors

A motion sensor outside your home will pick up on any movement activity and alert you to it. If you place motion sensors at the back and the front of your home in full view, assuming that you’re covering the two main entrances of your property, then this itself could be enough to deter anyone with ill intention from wanting to come one step closer towards your home. A driveway motion sensor can protect your home, your garden, and your car, so it’s well worth investing in this smart technology and taking steps to protect your family and your possessions. Motion sensors either side of your garage can also help you park your car and protect from damaging it through means of accidentally hitting into objects stored in your garage.

Cameras

Perhaps your most useful device for preventing theft from your home is to use a camera. Having a security camera which can be seen might well be enough to prevent a burglary, however, if not, then the evidence recorded by the camera can be used to help catch the thief or even be used as evidence for prosecuting the offender. By installing a camera, you’re not just keeping watch of thieves, but also you’re tracking any unwanted visitors that may take a fancy to your lawn or trash cans, for example. You can keep an eye on which pests are making their way on to your property, and from here you can take steps in trying to eradicate them. You can do this either by laying traps or making your home and yard far less appealing to the critters via means of building an impenetrable trash can shed or using the scent or spray of another, and more fearsome animal. If you do have trouble with pests, then it’s worth calling in the professionals who can take care of the problem quickly and safely.

A Guard Dog

Having a large dog outside your home can help keep your family safe as its very presence can be enough to prevent robbers from entering your yard. Even if the dog isn’t particularly large or necessarily protective, having a furry friend visible in the garden can be all you need to keep your family safe from the threat of theft. Having said this, however, you need to be vigilant and acutely aware that a dog shouldn’t be left alone in the company of any young children whatsoever, as having an aggressive, or just an unpredictable dog in the home could have serious consequences for your family. If you’re thinking about getting a puppy to share your home with, then always ensure that you know the temperament of the dog’s mother and father. You should also make sure that the dog doesn’t initially show signs of being vicious or overly interested in your young children, and you carry out research into the history and characteristics of the breed you’re considering welcoming into your house. If you’re thinking of keeping a guard dog mostly for the purpose of protecting your home, then any young children shouldn’t come near the dog, and you should issue written warnings around the parameters of your home that you, in fact, keep a potentially aggressive dog.

Safe And Secure Wi-Fi Routers

Keeping your Wi-Fi routers safe and secure will put pay to any criminal plans of using your network for dark and exploitative means. Since you use your internet for many activities such as internet banking, sending emails to work, purchasing goods, and sharing details from your personal life, it’s within your interest to prevent individuals who may wish to cause you and your family harm from gaining information into the most private recesses of your life. Some smart routers have the capacity to scan all devices on the network for malware vulnerabilities, to monitor outbound traffic, and to detect any zombie or alien devices on the network and send notifications when it detects suspicious activity or when it suspects that your security may be compromised. These routers can protect the safety of your home and your personal information from being potentially hacked and leaked.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide leaks can kill, and often they do. Since carbon monoxide is odorless and therefore undetectable to the human nose, it is more of a means for concern than other gases. It is paramount that you install carbon monoxide detectors in your home as the difference between having one and not having one can be death. Carbon monoxide is an unapologetic silent killer that could claim the lives of you and your family as you lie asleep in your beds, so you can afford not to have one in your home.

Baby Monitors

Baby monitors allow you digital access to your child’s wellbeing without actually being inside the room. Such monitors can record and track your child’s rate of breathing and can sense when the baby’s breathing becomes too slow or too fast and will alert you to a change in how your baby’s breathing is behaving. For added safety, consider installing a battery operated baby monitor that features a camera as well as a motion and breathing sensor. Since you cannot be too careful in protecting your young child, this device is considered a must-have in keeping your family safe.