Latest news with #homesecurity
CNET
13 hours ago
- CNET
7 Helpful Home Security Gadgets When You're Living Alone
Being alone in your home can be a luxurious and freeing experience, from wearing whatever you want to setting the temperature to your perfect comfort level. But if you spend plenty of time solo, you may also feel more exposed or at greater risk of property crimes like break-ins and theft. Let's address that part. In addition to making friends with your neighbors, I've also found several home security gadgets and smart home devices that can help your home feel safe when you're the only one there. Quick additions like the right kind of locks, lights and motion detectors can make a big difference whether you spend certain times of day alone or you're fully solo in your apartment or house. Here are my favorite choices. Read more: Essential Security Tips When Staying at an Airbnb or Rental 1. Install a motion sensor or tinkly bell A basic motion sensor is a cheap way to tell if anyone is around. Amazon/HTZSAFE/CNET One of the best safety measures to take when living alone is to know when someone else is around. A traditional option is attaching a string of bells to your door handle, but we have more dependable choices these days like this $12 light-up LED motion sensor. If you prefer an outdoor alert or a motion sensor that can cover a long hallway/open floor plan, then you can choose this $35 weather-resistant sensor and hub with an adjustable chime instead. This tip works especially well for those living alone because detectors old or new can be easily triggered by kids or partners, creating more confusion than confidence. You'll want to put them at locations and heights pets can't reach or activate too. 2. Grab a portable door lock to give a room extra protection Portable locks aren't just for traveling: They can make bedrooms, home offices and other areas feel safer. Amazon/PASSDONE/CNET Portable locks can give any traditional, non-deadbolt door an extra lock that's harder to force through, for people truly worried about a violent breakin. You can easily put them on bedroom doors, rental doors or any other door where you want more defense – no matter what other security the house has. It's a useful, versatile solution if you're not sure how long you'll be living alone and you want something extra for a specific room. Portable locks are affordable too. Here's a two-pack for only $16. And if you want a more substantial upgrade, you can always choose a smart lock with app controls. 3. Pick a portable cam you can move wherever you need Ring's battery cam is on the higher-end but offers a versatile, weather resistant option to watch from any location. Tyler Lacoma/CNET A security cam can be a welcome eye on your home if you're living alone, but our experts recommend a portable, wireless indoor model in this case. You can move a portable cam to watch over whatever room you want or any particular hallway, corner or shadow that's giving you the creeps. Our favorite cams for these purposes include the Google Nest indoor/outdoor camera ($176) and the Ring Stick Up Cam Battery ($80). Both these cams can work outside as well if you're worried about a dark yard. 4. Equip the main door with a video doorbell Blink's affordable doorbell is well-rounded cheap pick. Blink/Amazon A video doorbell alerts you when someone is approaching, allows you to talk with a visitor remotely and can even sound sirens or speak up with automated messages. It's an all-in-one security device that's especially useful if you're home alone, and we have a full guide on the best models for your door. If you're keeping an eye on your wallet, we can also recommend several excellent cheap video doorbells. Keep in mind, most doorbells require a subscription or microSD card to store video footage. Some even allow you to set the doorbell to recognize familiar faces and warn about an unfamiliar face, which users may prefer. 5. Set your indoor/outdoor lights to turn on at night Ring smart lighting lets a home seem active and full. Ring Most random trespassers or burglars don't know you're home alone. You can make the illusion even more convincing with smart lighting that turns on at scheduled times to make it look like more people are arriving home and active in multiple rooms. It's a lot more effective than trying to mimic a flashing TV or other old-fashioned tactics. Smart bulbs are more affordable than ever, with options like this Amazon Basics 4-pack available for $36. They're made to fit into standard home sockets, and many no longer require hubs to work so they're very flexible. Set and forget a "turn on" schedule to keep your home looking busy no matter what's happening. And take a look at my picks for the best LED floodlights for larger options. 6. Change the passwords for your device and lock logins Change the password on your wireless network for extra security. CNET People living alone, especially women, are far more likely to be attacked by someone they know when they are at home. So I recommend that when your living situation changes, you should prioritize changing the passwords on your security apps, Wi-Fi routers, security cameras and even your phone. Don't forget to change codes for your locks and garage door, if necessary. This is a basic security step that's all-too-easy to forget when you're getting used to living alone. Read more: We Asked a Criminologist About The Most Common Ways Burglars Break In 7. Choose a high-quality keychain pepper spray A keychain pepper spray isn't only useful outside if you're living alone. Sabre You never want to be in a situation where you feel physically threatened by someone, but if it happens it's great to have a little can of Mace or pepper spray close by. This Sabre spray is available for $10 and attaches to your keychain so you always have it nearby. You could even loop it to some phone cases, purses or belts. It has a quick detach clasp for easy access, plus a twist lock for safety. Bonus tip: Invest in a panic button A panic button is a more expensive option for solo living, but gives you immediate emergency access. Ring If you want to go the extra mile for solo safety, you pick up a panic button that you can carry with you or set nearby to immediately contact responders whenever you need to. These panic buttons are a common part of home security systems. Ring Alarm offers one for $30, while SimpliSafe has a wall-mounted $20 model. Systems like ADT Plus combine panic buttons with their access fobs, and you can even find standalone models from brands like Silent Beacon. These devices take a subscription to work properly and aren't for every wallet, but they do complete your home security when no one else is around (or home safety for a loved one in a similar situation). For more spot-on security tips, check out if you can use a security cam in an apartment building, how to deter burglars from your home, if a dog is good for home security and the worst places to put a security camera.
CNET
a day ago
- CNET
Here Are My Top 4 Tested Ways to Get Home Security Without Wi-Fi
Home security technology is becoming more and more common. Recent stats say 94 million US households have adopted security devices like alarms or video doorbells in the past year. However, there's a catch -- a wide majority of modern security systems and cameras can't work without connecting to your Wi-Fi. If you have Wi-Fi that disconnects a lot or don't want to have your home security hooked to Wi-Fi for privacy or safety reasons, this can be really inconvenient. The good news? There are still ways to have home security with advanced security devices without using Wi-Fi at all, and I've found the best ways to do that. So, before you do your summer shopping for your home security setup, let me explain what I mean, what your options are, and the benefits of these various approaches. Can home security systems work without Wi-Fi? Yes. Many home security systems don't need Wi-Fi to work. However, you may be giving up certain features in return for this flexibility. In other cases, add-ons help normally router-dependent home security function even if your Wi-Fi dies, like in a power blackout. Google Are home security systems more vulnerable on Wi-Fi? Hacking home security systems is very rare and is typically only done by acquaintances who already had access to the system. But with poor security habits your wireless network can be vulnerable to hacking. Always enable the highest level of encryption your home devices can support, and create a robust password for your Wi-Fi login. You'll also have to decide whether you want your home security devices online at all. Connecting to the internet in any form can increase certain risks, like getting your info stolen in a large-scale database theft. But it also brings many benefits, including remote monitoring and cloud video storage. How do I know if my security devices can work without a wireless network? Below, we'll cover the best options for security system without Wi-Fi . But looking for cellular, PoE (power over Ethernet) and offline features is the best way to ensure your system doesn't need Wi-Fi, or can keep going if your router goes down. Do home security systems without Wi-Fi cost more? Sometimes, but they can also cost less -- it depends on the type of system you get. An offline camera system is likely to cost less. Cellular backup support will usually cost more. The best home security without Wi-Fi Quit relying on Wi-Fi for your home security management with several effective answers... Option 1: Cellular backup for security systems Arlo's new Security Tag and keypad. Arlo If you want (or already have) a traditional home security system with important features like app alerts and remote live views or controls, your best option is to equip your system with a cellular backup. These backups can replace Wi-Fi with a cell signal, and work in tandem with built-in hub batteries (another common inclusion in modern systems) to keep systems running even when the power is out. The trick is that cellular backups aren't free. In some cases, you'll need to purchase an extra device, like this cellular and battery backup from Arlo ($80). In other cases, your security hub already has the capability. But you'll always have to pay a subscription fee for the service, and cellular support isn't always cheap. Arlo, for example, requires a professional monitoring subscription to get cell and battery backup, which only kicks in at the Premium plan, currently around $25 per month. Ring Alarm starts cellular backup at its Standard plan for compatible systems, which costs $10 per month. Expect similar fees like these to enable cellular backup for essentially any security system. Option 2: PoE (power over Ethernet) devices Reolink's affordable PoE cam is a great budget pick if you have cable options. Reolink PoE systems use a single cable connection to supply both power and an internet connection to a device such as a security camera. That makes them ideal for outdoor cams that are far away from Wi-Fi or that need more reliability. It won't help solve blackout problems, but otherwise it's a hands-off cam that doesn't require battery charging and still provides all the online benefits you want. Reolink stands above most home security brands as one of the best choices for PoE cameras. It offers many options, but one of our favorites is the Reolink 4K RLC-810A outdoor camera. It's a high-res cam that's affordable; has object recognition and long-distance night vision; some smart home support; and is entirely subscription-free when you add a microSD card. Option 3: Closed network NVR system Lorex is an excellent choice for NVR systems that avoid Wi-Fi or stay offline altogether for your privacy. Lorex/CNET Homeowners also have the option to ditch the internet completely with an offline NVR or network video recorder, a favorite option for people who want to keep their home security away from the web, the cloud and any wireless signals entirely. The NVR is connected to a display where it can show multiple feeds at the same time, just like how a security guard monitors cameras in a store. Brands like Lorex or Swann sell a variety of Ethernet cables and shielding to security buyers, and security kits will often come with cables for these kinds of NVR systems. You may also be able to choose an analog setup with a BNC cable, or a wireless setup that skips the router and connects to a compatible home hub (Lorex offers both these options, as well as the ability to turn its more advanced Home Security Center offline). However, an offline NVR setup like this will put your security system back decades. You'll miss out on the most advanced features, including checking live views from a distance on your phone. We recommend staying online if possible: Consider a wired connection that still connects the NVR to the internet for the best of both worlds. Option 4: A noncellular trail cam Trail cams are a rough and ready option if you want to keep watch on a spot without relying on the internet. Founissa/CNET Does managing cables annoy you? You have a final security option that ignores Wi-Fi and can work anywhere, wire-free. These are the same trail cams that capture inquisitive wildlife out in remote areas where cell connections aren't reliable. Trail cams like this model for $30 have far-reaching night vision and lots of battery life so they can last for many months at a time even with 4K resolution and audio. The catch is that if you want to see what the camera picked up, you'll need to manually view it like a digital camera, or take out the SD card for a more lengthy inspection. Still, as a weatherproof set-and-forget option, trail cams have their place. Read more: Top Home Security Tips When You're Renting with Roommates Get a more complete look at your options with our guides to the top DIY home security systems, wireless home security, and security systems that can easily move with you if you're frequently on the go.
CNET
3 days ago
- CNET
Don't Toss Your Old Smartphone. Turn It Into a Home Security Camera
If you want to add more home security to your house, you can start small. And one of the most affordable security options may already be waiting in a closet drawer if you've recently replaced your smartphone. That's right -- you can turn an old iPhone or Android model into a useful security cam option that can watch over important parts of your home. All it takes is a few simple steps to transform your old phone into a useful cam for free, including a quick app download. If you want to get fancy, you can even add a phone stand to position the new cam exactly how you want. Check out my simple steps below to get started. Step 1: Install a security camera app on your old smartphone Alfred Camera is free and lets you set up a cam solution yourself. Alfred Camera To begin, you will need to choose a security camera app. Most apps offer many of the same features, such as local streaming, cloud streaming, recording and storing footage locally or remotely, and motion detection and alerts. Once you're set up, you will be able to monitor your living space and control your security camera from anywhere, straight from your new phone. One of the best app options for setting up your phone as a security camera is Alfred. It's cross-platform, so it doesn't matter if your old phone was an Android phone or iPhone. And the same goes for your new phone. Alfred is free to use and gives you a remote view of your live feed, motion detection with alerts, free cloud storage, a two-way audio feed and use of both the front and rear cameras. To unlock additional features, like higher-resolution viewing and recording, zoom capabilities, ad removal and 30-day cloud storage, you can upgrade to Alfred Premium. 1. Download Alfred (Android, iOS) on both your old and new phones. You don't have to use a phone as a monitoring tool -- you can also download Alfred to your tablet or PC if you prefer to keep watch from there. Just make sure the app is on both devices. 2. On the new phone, swipe through the introduction and tap Start. Select Viewer and tap Next. 3. Once you get to the sign-in page, click Sign in with Google (a Google account is required) and sign in with your Google account credentials. 4. On the old phone, repeat the same steps, but instead of selecting Viewer, select Camera. Be sure to sign in to the same Google account. Alfred's app supports night vision, people recognition and more. Alfred Once both phones are signed in to Alfred, you're pretty much done with the setup. Alfred has simplified the camera options to include only a few settings. On iOS, you can only enable motion detection, choose between the front and rear cameras, and enable or disable audio. If you're using an Android device, you have those options and can also enable continuous focus, have Alfred automatically reopen if the phone reboots, set a resolution and enable a passcode lock. From your new phone, you can change a few more settings, such as turning notifications on or off, setting a camera or viewer name, adding other people to your Trust Circle (granting other people access to your video feeds), removing a camera, checking how many times a camera has disconnected, setting motion detection sensitivity and enabling a low-light filter on cameras. If Alfred isn't really doing it for you, you can explore other cam app options. Other apps that can give your old phone a security cam upgrade include: Faceter: Faceter is a surveillance app that offers quick setup and cloud storage for Apple and Android phones. Epoccam iVCam from E2ESoft: iVCam is a more open-source cam solution that's best for those who really want to tinker with camera settings and customize them, although like EpocCam it's focused a bit more on webcam-related activities than security. Step 2: Pick a spot for your new smartphone security camera You can use your new security camera in a variety of ways after the transition. Alfred Camera After you have the stream up and running, you will need to set up and position the camera. You may want it focused on the main entry point to your home, your backyard, the place where you store valuables or a point you think might be particularly vulnerable. If you have multiple old phones, you can set up multiple cameras for fairly robust video coverage. Step 3: Mount and power your security camera smartphone To mount or position the camera, a small smartphone tripod or suction-cup car mount can work wonders and help you position the camera in an inconspicuous place. To broaden the field of view, consider buying a wide-angle lens for your phone, something that can be purchased for between $5 and $20 online. Streaming video is very power-intensive, and the phone will be on 24/7. To keep the phone from dying in the first few hours, you'll need to position it close to a power source. A 10-foot Micro-USB,Lightning cable or USB-C cable and spare phone charger will give you more flexibility in where you can put it. And that's it: Now you can use the security cam app on your new phone to view the feed from your old phone's camera, and you've made your home more secure without spending much at all. Note: When choosing your mounting location, be sure to avoid furnace vents and other heat sources, such as in a window that gets full sun all day. Heat sources can damage your camera's lenses and battery over time, especially when combined with the heat of a power-hungry task like livestreaming. Final note: Old smartphones and security concerns Smartphones will eventually age out of security updates, which means they can eventually become vulnerable to attacks. If your old phone is still online -- like when you're using it as a security camera -- that's a problem. First, we recommend wiping any personal data off the phone before you transform it into a camera. Second, automate your updates when possible. Third, consider giving the phone a final use-by date, after which you'll recycle it. These days, companies try to push security updates for five to seven years after release (with some going even longer in recent years). We have a full guide on the security of older phones if you'd like to learn more. Finally, if we've got you excited about using your smartphone for home security purposes, don't forget that you can also download an app like Hidden Camera Detector to automatically search for telltale signs that there's a cam watching in the room. Airbnb may have outlawed indoor security cameras, but we don't blame you if you still want to check when you're traveling. For more, check out the best DIY home security systems.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Woman startled by bear on her porch uses camera's 'two-way talk' feature to take action
While at work, a Ring customer named Serena received a motion alert — and opened her app to see a bear at the back door of her California home in broad daylight. She used Ring's "two-way talk" feature to scare the bear away.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Olivia Attwood hits out at 'scumbags' who broke into her Cheshire home as she issues update on the burglary
Olivia Attwood has claimed the 'scumbags' who broke into her home were 'tracking the house'. The TV presenter, 34, revealed earlier this week that someone tried to break into her Cheshire home while she was filming a TV project in Spain. And after much concern from her fans on social media, Olivia took to TikTok to answer some of their questions about what was taken and if her dogs were safe. In the clip, the reality star explained that her dogs - Carpathian/German Shepherd mix, Lola, and Rottweiler, Stitch, were not home and so believes they have been tracking her home. Taking to he social media, Olivia said: 'So obviously I can't go into too much detail because it's an open investigation now. 'But some scumbags basically smashed a second-floor window, went in, and the security team got the notification within like 30 seconds, and they were there within two minutes with dogs. 'The little scumbags ran off. They got some stuff but they didn't get what they came for, and now I have to just show face because it's a really important work day and I'm feeling a bit tired and a little bit emosh, but yeah, brave face.' She further explained: 'We weren't there and the dogs weren't there. Obviously, if you know my dogs, the rescue Shepherd and Rottweiler, no one's getting into my house and not getting out unalived if my dogs are in there. 'So these f*****g, like disgusting vermin, were obviously tracking the house, and they obviously went at a time they knew the dogs weren't there, but they didn't know that we had security with a dog team, so they came down so quickly, thank God. 'And it's just a horrible thing; the feeling that someone's been in your house. Even though they didn't take the most valuable things, it's just the feeling. It's so horrible.' Olivia then explained that this was not the first time she had been targeted and had now been burgled three times. 'And we have had that happened to us before in Manchester. It's the third time we've been burgled in different houses up there', she added. 'It's just sad, isn't it? A sad society. But look, life goes on. There's a lot worse things that could happen. So, we keep it moving. 'I like to think I'm a tough gal, but obviously I was awake from like 2am until 6am, and didn't sleep last night because I was on-and-off the phone with police, security team, neighbours. And I was upset and stressed, and I literally just worked. 'That's probably why I look like an ageing rocker. My head's going to hit the pillow tonight, and I'm going to be out. We've got people at the house looking after everything.' Earlier this week, Olivia shared how she 'pays through the nose for private security', who arrived within two minutes to try and apprehend the burglars. Olivia was targetted while out of the country, however her security system seemingly outsmarted the criminals who tried to gain entry to the £1million property. Throughout the night on Wednesday, Olivia shared with her followers that they had experienced an attempted break-in and warned the thieves she had their details. Sharing what had happened, Olivia said: 'That's why we pay through the nose for private security. On site in 2 minutes with dog team and the incredible nw police force not far behind. 'We saw your face, we have your foot prints and finger prints. And sorry what you were looking for isn't actually kept at the property.' Olivia has lived in the home with her footballer husband Bradley Dack and their two dogs, Lola and Stitch, since 2022. The star has shown fans inside her houses since 2020 when she began filming docu-series Olivia Meets Her Match about her relationship and homelife with Brad. This fresh blow comes as Olivia hit back at backlash over her upcoming gig on This Morning after cruel trolls insisted it 'wouldn't work'. Olivia, who is a regular Loose Women panellist, is joining the This Morning team as a summer host in the coming weeks. While she's built a successful career fronting multiple ITV documentaries and reality shows, the news of Olivia's new slot didn't go down a hit with some fans. Traditionalists went as far as threatening they'll 'definitely stop watching' if Olivia joins the morning show. But ITV's golden girl Olivia has assured she is determined to succeed in the new gig and prove the haters wrong. She exclusively told The Sun: 'Those who know me understand the hard work I've put in to get where I am today. 'I'm forever grateful to Love Island for being the springboard to my career, but I'm excited to show there's so much more to me beyond the villa. 'It's been a lot of hard work, but I've always stayed focused on my goals and believed in myself and I'm very thankful for ITV in believing me.' Other stars who are fronting This Morning this summer include Sian Welby, Dermot O'Leary, Emma Willis, Josie Gibson, Rochelle Humes, Joel Dommett, Craig Doyle, and Andi Peters.
