Latest news with #packageTheft
CNET
04-07-2025
- Business
- CNET
Save Up to 63% on My Favorite Arlo Security Cameras With These July 4th Deals
Did you know, according to a CNET survey, one in six U.S adults has been a victim of package theft at least once? Having a reliable security setup with indoor and outdoor smart cameras is no longer optional -- it is essential to protect yourself and your loved ones. However, investing in home security can be expensive. But if you take advantage of these sales before they end, Arlo is making it easy to protect what matters most. Arlo is currently offering up to 63% off select security products, thanks to its Prime Day and Fourth of July sales. The discounts are available on both Arlo's website and Amazon. We've spotted a lot on sale -- whether you're after a reliable indoor camera or a video doorbell that supports two-way audio, there's something for everyone. Arlo's products have consistently performed well in CNET's tests. The 2K video doorbell is a favorite among our home security experts and was ranked the best video doorbell of the year in our latest roundup. It's currently just $60, after a whopping 54% discount. According to our editors, this one is quite easy to install, and apart from impressive features like high 2K resolution, night vision and wide-angle, 180-degree view, you'll also get handy extras like a built-in siren, customizable motion-detection zones and two-way audio that lets you communicate with whoever is on the other side. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. If you're looking for a way to keep an eye on your kid or pet, the Arlo Essential indoor cam won't disappoint. It offers 2K resolution with zooming features to help you focus on tiny details. The night vision is just as high-quality, and the two-way audio makes communication seamless. Right now, you can grab it for just $30, after a 63% discount. Looking for something else? Here are some more deals worth considering: If you like something, grab it before the deals expire or the stock runs dry. Why this deal matters Whether you're just getting started on home security or looking to upgrade your current setup, things can get expensive fast. These Arlo deals let you protect both your indoors and outdoors for a lot less. The only catch? We don't know how long the deals or the stock will last, so you might want to hurry.
CNET
04-06-2025
- Health
- CNET
Old Phone Collecting Dust? Put It to Work Watching Your
With summer vacations, weekend getaways and daily deliveries in full swing, now's the perfect time to level up your home security, especially if you'll be away from home more often. According to a recent CNET survey, one in six US adults have experienced package theft, and with more people shopping online and traveling this season, those numbers could climb. But before you start pricing out an expensive security system, here's some good news: You might already have everything you need to keep an eye on things, right in your junk drawer. That old smartphone collecting dust? It can easily be turned into a DIY indoor security camera with just a few quick steps. All you need is a working smart device, a compatible app and a basic phone mount to position it near your entryway. Not only is it a smart way to recycle unused tech, but it's also a budget-friendly fix that lets you monitor your home while you're out soaking up the sun-or waiting for that next package to arrive safely. Step 1: Install a security camera app on your old smartphone 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 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.
CNET
19-05-2025
- CNET
Have an Old Smartphone? Use It as a Security Camera
Home security is an essential aspect of many people's lives. As a recent CNET survey reveals, one in six US adults have fallen victim to package theft. With statistics like that, it's no wonder so many are going above and beyond to keep their homes safe from burglars and other unsavory characters. However, ensuring your home remains safe doesn't mean you have to shell out for a pricey security system. In fact, if your budget is tight, there's a simple DIY solution: an old smartphone. It's paramount that the phone you use for this is a smart one. Otherwise, you won't be able to access the correct app essential for turning your unused phone into a functional indoor security camera. You also need a phone mount so that you're able to set up the monitor at the front door. Once you have all that, the setup is easy. Plus, fashioning your old smartphone is a smart way to recycle your old tech. Step 1: Install a security camera app on your old smartphone 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 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.
