Depending on the money you have and the neighborhood you are living in, you have probably wondered how to choose the right home security system. This is indeed a tough question and hopefully by the end of this small guide you will at least have a hint.
The first step to choosing the right home security system is to put yourself in the role of a villain. Look at your home with some evil eyes. Where would you make your entry point - through the window, the back door, or the basement perhaps? Imagine the most probable route that a thief might choose. This will help you establish the weak points in the security system. One of the best ways to ward off potential burglars is simply to place alarm signs and decals on the premises. These will make the potential burglar think twice about attempting a break-in.
A good strategy to provide a relatively cheap, yet effective home security system is to leave a seemingly unguarded path. Typically the villain will choose it. This area should be guarded in a more subtle way. For example, if you leave a backdoor “unprotected” you could install a motion detector that emits a loud sound when activated. The key here is to leave the potential thief a way out, so you avoid confrontation and possible personal endangerment. The typical scenario would involve him almost feeling that he succeeded and then right before the entry point he would have a very nasty surprise which will make him run away in a panic.
Unfortunately though, the above strategy might not always work. This is why additional security installations should be installed. Depending on the budget you have available, you can choose from quite a large array of alternatives. These can involve the installation of security cameras, door alarms, glass break detectors and even photoelectric beams. No matter what your choice is, you should never leave anything to chance. Thieves do not always follow the easiest path. If they are skilled in detecting home security systems and overriding them, you might be in for some real trouble. The trick lies in setting up redundant home security installations to make them feel overwhelmed and not so sure about their success.
These are just a few general guidelines to determine how to choose the right home security system. Depending on your specific circumstances and the specifics of the area you are living in, you might feel that the security measures must be tightened or relaxed. Regardless of the condition, you must always be prepared for the worst. The fact remains, crime is on the rise and there are no signals that this trend will decrease. If you are still unsure about what security systems to choose, let a security expert help you by doing a detailed evaluation of your needs. After all, your family and home are much too important to leave to chance.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
How To Choose The Right Home Security System
How to keep your home safe when you are away
Labels: alarms, articles, business, home, protection, safe, Safety, securityWe all want to make sure that our homes are protected and safe while we are away for the day or for any extended period of time. There is no way to know for sure if something is going to happen while we are gone. The only thing that we can do is prepared for out homes to stay safe while we are not there. There are a few things that we can do in order to provide safety for our homes.
One way is to tell our neighbors that we trust about not being home. It is very important that we only tell the neighbors that we have trust in and that we know about being gone. We have to be confident enough that they will look out for our home and take care of it while we are away. Tell them to check on the pets and plants while you are gone as well. This will make it look like someone is their taking care of things. They can also gather the mail and the newspaper everyday as well. This will keep potential prey thinking someone is home.
You can also tell the local police department if you are going away for an extended period of time. Tell them the dates that you will be gone and ask them to patrol the home every once in a while. This is good especially if you live in a secured area.
You always want to make sure that the doors and the windows are always locked when you leave to go anywhere. Do not make it easy for an intruder to get inside your home. Keep things secure and well protected with good quality locks that will be tough for anyone to pass by.
You will also want to make sure that everything is secure inside the home too. If you are just leaving for the day, make sure that lights are off and anything electrical if turned off as well. If you are leaving for a few days, you may want to turn the water main off in the home as well as the hot water heater too. This will protect your home from an unexpected breaks or leaks that can occur at any given time. You do not want to come home to the surprise of having a flood in your home.
Check all doors in your house that lead to the outside or into a garage. These should be metal or solid wood and at least 1.75” thick. Be sure door frames are secure and cannot be taken apart easily. Make sure doors fit into frames without gaps. Even with strong locks, good burglars can get into your house if your doors or doorframes are weak.
How To Save Money When Buying A New Home Security System
Labels: Buying, home, How, Money, New, Save, security, System, WhenI am sure that if you’ve decided to purchase a home security system, by now you must be utterly confused. The prices seem to vary a lot even for the very same device. This guide complements our guide called “How to Choose the Right Home Security System” and will help you make the right decision based on your needs.
If you are an average homeowner, then I strongly recommend purchasing a security kit. These offer the standard protection against common intruders and have proved their effectiveness time and time again. In the security systems industry, it is not the systems themselves that cost a lot but rather the customization. Just like buying a ready-made bicycle, it is far cheaper to buy it as-is than to select the individual components you want the bicycle to have and have everything put together. Security kits excel in providing a reliable standard for a do-it-yourselfer. Because these systems involve the bundling of multiple systems, you can expect a hefty discount. Who said that security must be expensive? The security kits demolish this myth and allow do-it-yourselfers to install and have a quality home security system.
There is another way of cutting back costs. I am introducing this method in this guide precisely because at some time you will no doubt feel attracted by it. I am talking here about the price leverage you will get from choosing a lesser known brand (or no-name brand) instead of a more well-known brand. This is not something I recommend. Those companies with strong brands have invested heavily in building up their reputation through well-made products.. What you have here is a distinctive difference in quality. So if you plan on buying a cheaper system from a no-name brand which manufactures its products in South East Asia… I strongly advise against it. In the long-term you will realize that the money saved wasn’t worth it. Why save a couple of dollars only to have a false sense of security? It is far better to invest a little extra now than to risk your home, the safety of your family as well as your own when intruders break-in later.
But perhaps the single, most effective method of deciding what security measures are appropriate and cost effective for your home or business is to hire a security consultant. Believe me when I tell you that the money spent on their services will actually help you cut down costs, either by suggesting the right and appropriate security installations or by detailing the weaknesses in the system. It is more than a low price that you should aim for; your goal should be to obtain an effective security system.
I hope that this guide to saving money on a home security system has put you on the right track. Remember that you must strive to achieve a balance of maximum benefits and protection while keeping the costs at a minimum.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Is Your Home Security System Protecting You
Home Security Systems
Monitoring your home security system has never been easier but there are several things you need to consider before committing yourself to a long term monitoring agreement with any alarm company.
Alarm companies don’t make the majority of their profit from selling security systems; it comes from accumulating a large base of alarm-monitoring contracts. If fact, these monitoring contracts are so profitable that they are frequently bought and sold like mortgage notes.
Tip #1
Ask if they are an authorized alarm dealer or represent a marketing company.
Marketing companies have learned to flood a market with fantastic offers on security systems with the sole purpose of selling the contracts at a profit. They often use any sub-contractor available, which can lead to poor customer service once the marketing company leaves town.
Once you find a reputable alarm company, ask them to come out to your home and give you a quote. You’ll find that most will quote you a basic security system at a reasonable price. These basic security systems generally include a control panel, keypad, motion detector, a couple of door contacts, inside siren, a yard sign and warning decals.
Tip #2
Make sure the equipment can be monitored by any alarm company, not by just the one selling it to you. If they use proprietary security equipment, you could be left in a bind should you become dissatisfied with their service for any reason. Ademco, DSC, & Caddx are well known manufacturers and can be monitored by any one.
Some companies offer a low installation charge of $99.00 or will give you a “FREE” security system. Many do so if you put a security sign in your yard for advertising purposes and commit to a long-term alarm-monitoring contract.
Since the installation charge doesn’t cover the true cost of the equipment and labor, you are charged a substantial monthly fee to recoup their investment. These “deals” or equipment leases aren’t necessarily bad but make it hard to evaluate the true cost to you over time.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Is Your Home Security System Protecting You
home security,security,home protection,protecting your home. Home Security Systems
Monitoring your home security system has never been easier but there are several things you need to consider before committing yourself to a long term monitoring agreement with any alarm company.
Alarm companies don’t make the majority of their profit from selling security systems; it comes from accumulating a large base of alarm-monitoring contracts. If fact, these monitoring contracts are so profitable that they are frequently bought and sold like mortgage notes.
Tip #1
Ask if they are an authorized alarm dealer or represent a marketing company.
Marketing companies have learned to flood a market with fantastic offers on security systems with the sole purpose of selling the contracts at a profit. They often use any sub-contractor available, which can lead to poor customer service once the marketing company leaves town.
Once you find a reputable alarm company, ask them to come out to your home and give you a quote. You’ll find that most will quote you a basic security system at a reasonable price. These basic security systems generally include a control panel, keypad, motion detector, a couple of door contacts, inside siren, a yard sign and warning decals.
Tip #2
Make sure the equipment can be monitored by any alarm company, not by just the one selling it to you. If they use proprietary security equipment, you could be left in a bind should you become dissatisfied with their service for any reason. Ademco, DSC, & Caddx are well known manufacturers and can be monitored by any one.
Some companies offer a low installation charge of $99.00 or will give you a “FREE” security system. Many do so if you put a security sign in your yard for advertising purposes and commit to a long-term alarm-monitoring contract.
Since the installation charge doesn’t cover the true cost of the equipment and labor, you are charged a substantial monthly fee to recoup their investment. These “deals” or equipment leases aren’t necessarily bad but make it hard to evaluate the true cost to you over time.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Listening Devices for the Telephone
If you are one of those people who need to use listening devices for your telephone, there are many different ones to choose from. It does not matter what the reason is, whether you are doing it for covert operations in police work, making sure that your employees are not running up lots of long distance charges on your business phone, keeping track of who is using your business phone for lots of personal phone calls, or just keeping a record of important information that is received over the telephone.
One of the greatest listening devices made for this purpose is the thirty-four hour, no battery drain, and telephone recorder. You heard it right – no battery drain. And it does not matter where you may need to use these particular listening devices, whether it is a pay phone, a hotel, digital, or universal cell, this unit comes with a recording interface that works in all of those applications. Once this listening device is connected, it will automatically turn on the minute the receiver is lifted.
And because it runs for a full twelve hours of actual telephone conversation on a single set of “AAA” batteries, it is perfect for situations where A/C power access is limited or nonexistent. But when there is a wall plug available, there is an optional AC adaptor that you can use with this unit as well. With the no battery drain, you do not have to worry about using up precious battery time while the unit is resting, waiting for the next conversation to record. The VOR recording completely eliminates gaps in the recording.
Light Up With Covert Hidden Cameras
Labels: 007 spy factory, security, surveillance productsIf you are looking for an inconspicuous way to protect your business with covert hidden cameras, then you may want to consider the emergency light camera. You see them everywhere in businesses. Or do you? Actually you probably don’t pay much attention to them unless the power has gone out and the emergency lights have come on to light your way. These great little covert hidden cameras even automatically switch from color to black and white in low light situations, and have a line of site range of one thousand feet.
But let’s say that you would like to have covert hidden cameras, disguised as a light in an outdoor environment. An emergency light might look a little out of place outside. That is when you would want to get the wireless floodlight camera instead. These totally undetectable covert hidden camera surveillance systems will work like a charm for both businesses and personal homes. Everybody has floodlights right?
But these beauties not only work for floodlights, they can even be used in any ceiling light fixture. And installation is so easy; it is as simple as screwing in a light bulb, literally. Then all you need to do is plug the decoder, which comes included with the system, into any AC outlet and connect it to a TV or VCR. You will be watching your live surveillance immediately; it takes less than a minute to install.
The covert hidden cameras in these lights operate off the existing wiring in your home, office, place of business, or even a vacation home. There are no wires, no fuss, no muss, and it is so portable so you can use the same camera at more than one site.
Multiple Camera Hidden Digital Video Recorders
Labels: 007 spy factory, security, surveillance productsCrime is on the rise or so it seems. Whether you are operating your own business or just want to insure the safety of your own home, you may want to think long and hard about using hidden digital video recorders to keep an eye on things. If your business or home is fairly large, you know that you may need to have several hidden digital video recorders operating all at the same time. Fortunately, there are several models of hidden digital video recorders that can operate numerous security cameras all at the same time.
One unit in particular, allows you to connect up to eight cameras and has eight alarm inputs. The great part is that all eight cameras can be viewed on one monitor, so you don’t have to go broke building a wall of monitors to handle the job. Once an alarm goes off, the switcher will lock onto the camera covering the area where the alarm went off. And if more than one alarm sounds, it will switch automatically between the affected areas. You can also manually excluded unaffected cameras or lock the affected cameras so that you have a constant view of the trouble spot.
There is also a nine camera version of these hidden digital video recorders that allows you to change setting from one, two, four or eight camera viewing, too. The system adjusts to your needs regardless of how many hidden digital video recorders you are using. Then if you need to expand your system, you don’t have to worry about purchasing another system, you are ready to go for up to nine cameras.
Purifying the Air With Covert Hidden Cameras
Labels: 007 spy factory, security, surveillance productsIn today’s modern society, spying and protecting your premises has become an art form. There are so many different devices that have been developed to hide covert hidden cameras that without a bug detector, it would seem nearly impossible to find them all. Even the most mundane devices can actually contain covert hidden cameras.
For example, you can purchase covert hidden cameras that have been placed inside of an air filter. Once type of model is a fully functional plug and play surveillance system that has the camera inside is virtually undetectable by the naked eye. It even comes with extra filters.
But for the ultimate air purifier with covert hidden cameras, you definitely want the one that is not only self-contained, but motion activated and is capable of recording up to 20,000 images. This gem not only purifies the air but because it is also a DVR, you don’t have to worry about transmitting the images you record all over the neighborhood. And it’s hassle free and easy to use.
Simply “arm” your camera using a convenient remote control as soon as motion is detected, the camera will begin to record images until fifteen seconds after all motion stops. And playing the images back is also a breeze. Simply disarm the unit, remove the postage stamp size MMC card and pop it into the reader, which connects to your laptop or desktop computer through the USB port. And depending upon the size MMC card you choose, you can record up to 3,000 images, 12,000 images, or even more.
Protect Your Cabin With "Off the Grid" Home Security
Labels: cabin building, cabin real estate, cabin security, Home security, investment property protection, securitySecuring your cabin can be a difficult task - especially if you're "off the grid" and don't have the easy luxury of electricity and an "alarm system". But, there are some common sense steps to follow and a couple tricks of the trade, that'll help secure your property in the off season.
If you're in the position of not having purchased your cabin or land yet, you might begin by considering the security conundrum right off the top. Location, location, location is imperative here, and if you can avoid purchasing a piece of property that is overly exposed to the public and main thorough fair traffic than you're definitely ahead of the game. Private access roads and secured gating are both pluses.
If you're building your cabin from scratch think about limiting expensive building materials. You might also go for the "shabby chic" cabin look over designing with lush curtains and fancy, expensive furniture- these tend to be indicators of more wealth inside. If you must have such luxury items at least store them away as best as possible when you're away - or take them home!
Think about security as you're building your cabin and build the home in a way that intruders won't be able to get in.
When you leave for the season, make sure you seal up everything. Try putting boards or barriers on your doors and windows. Go as "fortress" like as you see fit- esthetics won't matter so much when you're not at home! Intruders generally go for path of least resistance- so don't give them any opportunity to think yours will be an easy steal. If you're not intending to board up your windows, at the very least put up some dark blinds and close them before you go. You don't want your valuables to be visible.
You can also install heavy duty dead-bolts on all doors and use lock-bars on sliding doors.
Never leave alcohol in your cabin. Much of the trespassing population tend to be young kids looking for a "cheap" or for that matter a "free" good time. Some people even put up signs: "No Alcohol on the Premises", as a deterrent for the cheap thrill type of vandals.
Never leave firearms on the premises. If you have to, then make sure they are trigger locked and kept in a locked gun cabinet.
If you can, hire someone over the off season to keep your lawn mowed, plants and flowers watered, the driveways plowed and sidewalks shoveled - anything and everything to give the appearance of a constant presence.
Although you may not be capable of installing a full alarm system if your cabin is "off the grid", you can try trip-wire systems. With such systems you can trigger a sound device to go off, or rig it so objects fall with a crashing sound. Yes, it's sort of a seemingly archaic alarm system, but you have to work with what you got. And you'd be surprised at what'll work. Some systems will allow you to trip-wire to a battery operated alarm system or camera monitors that you can see from home!
If you're looking for protection and safety while you're at the cabin, a dog with a good strong bark is a good idea. Not only will they protect the fort, but you'll have their canine companionship to boot!
One last hint: remember that not all intruders are human. Thrill seeking teenagers are one problem, but rats, mice and bugs are a whole other ball game. The best way to avoid rodents is to ensure that there isn't a scrap of food in the house when you leave. Foods also have the potential to attract wintering insects as well, so take it all - sugar, flour and every measly scrap you find.
Be smart and thorough in securing your cabin for the off season and you'll have much less of a problem with intruders of all kinds!
Planning And Building A Security System That Works
Labels: barrier, bars, burglar, security, TorontoFirst of all a security system is not an alarm system, although the alarm system plays an important part in the overall security plan. In fact,no single component should be seen as most important, although as I will explain some measures provide greatest value for the security money you will be investing. The first step though is a survey of the premise, including how it is used, for what purpose and by whom, and of course the physical layout. Risk factors and loss potential are scrutinized as these greatly influence the budget.
Barrier security will be the first step in the implementation of the security system and devices such as window bars, security gates, security film, security grilles and good locks provide the greatest value for the money you will be investing. Barrier security can also be achieved through installation of security films which are fitted onto existing glass, security films such as Profilon tm, made by Haverkamp in Germany provide a near invisible coating that transforms glass into transparent armor. Security films are especially useful for strengthening glass in offices and homes. Typically thicker films work best for security applications and fourteen mil security film is currently consider minimum for commercial applications.
Security films work best on larger surface areas. Installation is very important and is as important to the barrier security as the choice of film. The glass type is also important with ordinary annealed glass as the design favorite. However if possible the glass should be changed to a laminated glass as that is the best substrate for security film. Installing on tempered glass should be avoided due to break characteristic of that glass. This is of utmost importance as door glass must conform to a safety code and that is almost always done with tempered glass and forced entry through glass accounted for two thirds of all break-ins. Unless the glass is changed to annealed or laminated glass single pane commercial doors should not be fitted with security film. It simply will not work. The mechanical bond of security film to the edges will add to or decrease the value of security film as barrier security and if possible security film should be fitted under the glass retaining stops.
To increase the effectiveness of security film in the security system the alarm system should include glass break detectors of the dual technology type or signature type. Very loud siren horns and or strobe lights outside over the glass is an excellent way to augment the effectiveness of security film in the security system.
The first line of protection in barrier security are the locks and their effectiveness as a security barrier depends entirely on the small details of the installation. Burglar bars, window bars, security bars, different names same meaning are available over the counter or custom built in many shapes and sizes. Window bars are probably the best single investment of barrier security and because burglar bars have been used in the security system for thousands of years many examples of good design are readily available. Security bars are especially useful for protecting basement windows or for protecting windows in warehouses as they provide visual deterrence as well as providing barrier security. A visual display of security is very useful when planning a security system as opportunistic thieves can be easily persuaded to move elsewhere by carefully planned barrier security.
As risk increases the security system becomes layered so that thieves are forced to spend valuable time after detection but before penetrating the barrier security to get to the reward.
Planning and designing an effective security system is as much art as science, but more than anything else involves common sense and while there is temptation to rely on high technology the opposite is true. The best system is simple and relies heavily on barrier security with electronic systems as back up.
Plain Sight Covert Hidden Cameras
Labels: 007 spy factory, security, surveillance productsOne of the uniquely inconspicuous ways to use covert hidden cameras is by utilizing the book camera. It is a wireless system that contains a high quality CCD camera and it fits in virtually anywhere you want to put it. Stick it up on the shelf with all of your other books or put it in a stack of books on your desk or credenza. No one will be the wiser.
Let us say that you like to have music playing in the background where you work. It doesn’t matter if you like to listen to the radio or a CD player; there are boom boxes that contain covert hidden cameras that play both. With a line of site of up to seven hundred feet, this entertaining boom box can secretly keep an eye on what is happening and with four different channels available, you can run up to four units simultaneously. Whether you use it in the home or in the office, you will be sure keep your surveillance a secret.
Another clever way that covert hidden cameras are being used is in a special coffee mug. This item is ideal for interrogation rooms of law enforcement agencies, as well. The mug contains a tiny camera and video transmitter that automatically switches from color to black and white in low light situations. You can use up to four units at once and they are good for a range of up to one thousand feet depending upon the terrain and RF interference.
Penned Up Listening Devices
Labels: 007 spy factory, security, surveillance productsUnlike an overzealous reporter, who shoves his microphone into your face in his efforts to get your take on the latest, breaking news story, there is a multitude of reasons why you might just want to keep your listening devices a secret. One of the many ways in which you can do that is by using listening devices that look like a pen.
These clever little devices are actually very sensitive pen microphones, and when worn in a pocket on your shirt or jacket, are easily mistaken for the real thing. One such listening device is permanently stowed inside the clicker part of a Bic pen and it will work with virtually any recorder that contains an external microphone input with power. Plus it is ultra high sensitive. But you don’t have to just use these great pen mikes just for covert purposes. Granted, if you are standing near someone and need to secretly listen to their conversation, these pen mikes are great.
But there are lots of other reasons to use these sensational listening devices as well. Let us say that you are attending a lecture and you want to record it so that you can carefully go over it later at home when it is time to study. By wearing this hands free device you can do so easily. Or what if you are planning to attend a live music concert and you want to make a recording, you can be sure that by using these particular listening devices, you will get an excellent recording with clear, crisp sound, and deep bass.
Peace of Mind Using Bug Detectors
Labels: 007 spy factory, security, surveillance productsHave you ever wondered if your home or business is as secure as it should be? Have you ever been plagued with the suspicion that someone was listening into sensitive conversations, business meetings, or just outright spying on you? With the various types of bug detectors available on the market today, you can not only find out if your suspicions are true, but give yourself the peace of mind you require that comes from insuring that your environment is bug free.
For example, there are bug detectors that can warn you if your local telephone has been tapped. Whether it was done legally or illegally, it can detect a tap regardless of where it has been placed even if it is at the telephone company’s central exchange. You no longer have to wonder whether or not someone is listening in, even if it’s “Big Brother”.
Other types of bug detectors, like a CM Pro Sweep kit, are the perfect way for a person to do a basic countermeasure check, thus insuring the security of their home or business. They can also use these bug detectors to start their own business providing security sweeps to customers on a regular basis. Other types of bug detectors are so versatile that they can detect and pinpoint the location of virtually any type of electronic surveillance equipment, regardless if it is hidden on a person’s body, in a room, or on a telephone, and that includes hidden tape recorders and video transmitters. What better way to insure your own peace of mind that you are bug free?
Saturday, July 18, 2009
5 Reasons To Install Security Cameras At Your Home Or Business
In today’s world, an individual or business owner needs to take the necessary steps to protect themselves, their family and their investments. While many opt for a full security system, which is always a good idea, the addition of security cameras can help to record any/all activities that take place in and around a specific area. Security cameras are not only designed for outside use, but are also commonly used indoors.
When it comes to reasons why you should consider installing security cameras, listed below are five of the best:
Security cameras provide constant monitoring of your home and/or business even when you are not there. Let’s face it. There is no way that you can be two places at once. You are either at home or at work, which is why security cameras can be your eyes even when you cannot be there in person.
If installed at your home, security cameras can help you to see who is outside your front door or on your property before opening the door or venturing outside. This is a very important safety precaution for anyone, whether you live out in the most rural of settings or in the city. It’s always a good idea to see who is at your door before you open it and if you suspect someone is on your property, security cameras can help to either confirm or eliminate that concern.
If a theft should occur, the use of security cameras can provide valuable evidence to help convict the perpetrator and possibly even recover your stolen item(s). This is true of both home and business burglaries. In addition, a home or business that is monitored with a security camera may carry more affordable insurance because it is less desirable for criminals who know they are being monitored. For the exact policy guidelines, check with your local insurance agent.
Security cameras can help parents to keep an eye on their babysitter. When you leave your child at home and entrust them with a babysitter, it never hurts to add extra peace of mind in knowing that your child is properly cared for during those moments when you are not at home with them yourself.
If used in a place of business, security cameras can help employers and store owners to keep a close eye on their employees. Monitoring of employee actions can help in a variety of situations, including possible employee theft, customer complaints and other matters where video playback may be beneficial.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Signs of Hidden Covert Cameras
Convenience stores seem to be one of the most vulnerable places for a robbery, especially all night convenience stores. The need for hidden covert cameras is not only great but a virtual must. Sure the cameras in the ceiling may be good for catching the action during a robbery, but often times, the view of the person’s face isn’t always the greatest. But if you have hidden covert cameras up front and personal, like the one that comes hidden inside a “We ID” counter sign, you are sure to get a great portrait picture of the would be thief that will help police and prosecutors send him packing off to jail in no time at all. They also work just fine for banks and packaging stores. If someone is cashing a stolen check at a bank or planning on holding it up, they will leave a nice up close and personal picture of themselves and never even know it.
Would you like another way to secretly get a shot of those would be thieves as they are leaving your place of business? What better place to hide hidden covert cameras than in the non-threatening, ever present, totally ignored exit sign. Anyone coming into or going out of your place of business has to pass by it. Exit signs are so common place that unless you are specifically looking for one, you don’t pay any attention to their presence, and even if you are looking for one, you certainly would not think that there are covert hidden cameras hidden inside of them. The exit sign hidden covert cameras come in your choice of black and white or full, living color.
Stop Information Leaks with Bug Detectors
Labels: 007 spy factory, security, surveillance productsWhether we like it or not, spy technology is here to stay. Even if you aren’t the type of person who wants or needs to use such technology in your every day life, you may find that you need to protect yourself from being spied upon. Just as there are various ways to listen, record or video tape someone secretly, there are numerous ways to detect those same devices. These bug detectors are capable of finding not only the various types of bugs, but they are also capable of finding them regardless of where they might be hidden.
Some bug detectors can sweep a room or person and tell you immediately if they are bugged, regardless if the device is hard wired, radiating or just sitting there not even turned on yet. These bug detectors range in size and are anywhere from the size of a suitcase, to a hand held portable, to as small as a ball point pen, which, with a push of a button can detect hidden cameras and even wire taps. Bug detectors also can be cleverly disguised to resemble something as ordinary as a smoke detector that alerts you to the presence of radio transmitters, regardless if they were secretly placed in your home or office or if they are carried onto your premises.
Regardless of your needs, you can assure yourself and your customers of total and complete privacy when you when you use one of the many types available on the market today.
Surveillance for the homeowner
Labels: cctv, home Surveillance, securitySo you’ve paid off the loan, and the mortgage, done the renovations, the paperwork and now your home is finally your own house. You can’t help feeling, however, that you aren’t quite ready to sit back and rest easy. What if someone breaks into your house, damages and steals your property? What can you do to safeguard your space against burglary?
For a medium or large residence, surveillance just might be a good idea. Before you start picturing Richard Dreyfuss and Emilio Estevez in Stakeout, let’s define our terms.
Surveillance is, quite simply, the process of monitoring people, objects or processes for conformity to certain expected norms. More specifically, it consists of monitoring for deviations from safe, non-threatening behaviour. It may or may not interest you to know that, in French, the word means ‘watching over’.
Surveillance includes any form of observation from afar by means of technological devices. This refers to phone tapping, directional microphones, bugs, subminiature cameras, closed-circuit television or CCTV, GPS tracking, airborne or satellite reconnaissance as well as computer and internet surveillance.
CCTV is perhaps the most relevant device for you, as a homeowner, so let’s look at it in some more detail.
CCTV consists of a camera, or cameras, linked up for the purpose of surveillance. The cameras are all directly liked and viewable through monitor screens. CCTV was first pressed into service to help watch against bank robbers, but the applications have increased to the point where the technology is easy to use, and relatively affordable enough to be used in home security set-ups.
CCTV is supposed to aid in crime fighting in two ways –deterrence and detection.
It’s assumed that the presence of clearly visible cameras in an particular location would serve to scare of would-be thieves. But the criminal mentality is notoriously hard to fathom, and this isn’t always the case. Interestingly though, CCTV systems do seem to be most effective as safeguards against car theft. Still, it’s worth assuming that the presence of a CCTV system should put off a fair number of would-be burglars.
CCTV has made a remarkable difference to crime detection, that’s for sure. Several prominent murder cases worldwide were solved with the aid of CCTV footage, and CCTV has also been useful in locating missing persons and runaways. Look at it this way – if it comes to the worst, and your house is burglarised, CCTV footage can provide crucial clues to the police and help in capturing the criminals and recovering your belongings.
CCTV technology has developed to the point where you can use wireless or USB still cameras to take high-resolution pictures at intervals. You can either program the cameras to take pictures on a time-lapse basis or to be triggered by unexpected motion. The quality of these images is superior to other surveillance cameras, and provides investigators with a wealth of useful detail. Models like Canon’s S2iS, Nikon’s P1 or Kodak’s Easyshare One are all affordable and reliable options. You can easily download these images onto your PC and share them with the authorities, all in a matter of seconds.
This is in fact the best option for you as a homeowner. Traditional CCTV is more adept at providing a flow of images to be constantly monitored by security personnel, while this new technique, dubbed Closed Circuit Digital Photography (CCDP) does not require around-the-clock observation, and produces high-quality images that can be used in the event of a burglary. As in the case of CCTV, it is worth considering that the presence of a surveillance system will itself serve as some amount of deterrent, if clearly indicated.
Used in conjunction with motion sensors, as well as anti-burglary devices such as alarms, high fences, trap wires and the like CCDP can form the basis for an effective and reliable home surveillance system. One that lets you finally kick back and relax in the comfort and security of your own home!
The Combination Lock
Labels: combination lock, deadbolt, door lock, office lock, security, security lock, security systemA combination lock is a type of lock in which a sequence of numbers or symbols is used to open the lock. The sequence is usually a specific permutation rather than a true combination. The sequence may be entered using a single rotating dial which interacts with several discs or cams, or by using a set of several rotating discs with inscribed numerals which directly interact with the locking mechanism.
Multiple-dial locks
One of the simplest types of combination lock, often used in low-security situations is the bicycle lock, which uses several rotating discs with notches cut into them. The lock is secured by a pin with several teeth on it which hook into the rotating discs. When the notches in the discs align with the teeth on the pin, the lock can be opened. This lock is considered to be one of the least secure types of combination lock.
Opening a multiple-dial lock without the combination depends on the slight irregularities in the machining of the parts. Unless the lock is machined precisely, when the pin is pulled outward, one of the teeth will pull more strongly than the others on its corresponding disc. This disc is then rotated until a slight click is heard, indicating that the tooth has settled into the notch. The procedure is repeated for the remaining discs, resulting in an open lock, and a correct combination, in very little time.
Single-dial locks
Combination locks found on padlocks or safes may use a single dial which interacts with several parallel discs or cams. Customarily, a lock of this type is opened by rotating the dial clockwise to the first numeral, counterclockwise to the second, and so on in an alternating fashion until the last numeral is reached. The cams typically have an indentation or notch, and when the correct combination is entered, the notches align, allowing the latch to fit into them and open the lock.
Combination locks of this type are generally more secure than the multiple-dial lock, but some of them do have weaknesses. For example, early combination padlocks made by Master lock could be cracked by pulling on the shackle of the lock and turning the dial until it stopped; each numeral in the combination could be revealed in this manner.
More recent models of Master padlock with a 40-position dial have a mechanical weakness that can give away the last numeral in the combination, and the first two numerals have a mathematical relationship with the last number. This weakness reduces the number of possible combinations from 64,000 to a mere 100, which can be tried in a relatively short amount of time.
Inexpensive padlocks are often susceptible to the use of a padlock shim, which can be used to release the shackle without entering a combination.
Other designs
Many doors use combination locks which require the user to enter a numeric sequence on a keypad to facilitate entry. These special locks usually require the additional use of electronic circuitry.
The main advantage of this system is that if used for the door of a large office, each employee can be told the code number without having to supply a key to each person.
The disadvantage however, is if the code number is discovered by someone out site the desired group or is not changed regularly, it could allow easy access to a potential intruder.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
The Home Security System Buying Guide
In this world of uncertainty, deciding what the best home security products are among the myriad of security products can be confusing. This guide will address these uncertainties and clarify the buying process.
A simple check with search engines will reveal hundreds of companies willing to sell you their security related products and all of them promising the “burglar-proof” system.
My first advice is to go to a company that specializes in the very device you are interested in. For example if you need a surveillance camera, Panasonic can show up as a possible choice. However, they are more well-known for producing TV sets than security cameras. A manufacturer such as Clearvu, on the other hand, specializes in surveillance cameras. They will quickly show you a large variety of professional equipment which will suit your needs much better. While Panasonic appears to be a credible security system player in the marketplace, their expertise lags behind these highly specialized manufacturers. Big brands, therefore, do not necessarily mean good brands.
Check for the country of manufacture. Products manufactured in a country with a strong tradition of quality will probably feel proud enough to advertise it. If the manufacturing country does not show up in the ad, the company is probably cutting costs by producing them in a country where wages are low and labor lower-skilled. Unfortunately, this also means that they have compromised on the product’s quality at your expense.
Another factor when it comes to choosing the right home security equipment is to check the product specifications. Be extra careful when doing this. For example, a photoelectric motion sensitive system that is triggered by falling leaves won’t be very effective. These are the sort of details you must always ask and check. There truly are no dumb questions; if you feel uncertain about any specifications, just ask. If the answer from the sales person appears evasive, you might want to consider another brand or shop somewhere else.
Perhaps the single most important and most difficult part of the home security system buying process is to clearly distinguish between the various products offered by competitors that offer pretty much the same features at comparable quality, but at slightly different prices. In these instances, I recommend ignoring brands altogether and strip the products of their sales hype. Try seeing facts, parameters and guarantees. If details are sketchy, don’t be afraid to ask the seller about details. Price should be the secondary factor here. Aim for quality and a sense of reassurance that when a burglar strikes your home, your home security system will be ready to handle and thwart the burglar’s break-in attempt.
