It can be overwhelming trying to decide which home security system to choose. There are many different types, with various styles and levels of expertise required to install and operate each.To get more news about home security solutions, you can visit securamsys.com official website.
So how do you know which one is right for you? Smartphone apps, security cameras, and alarm systems are just a few of the options available today, but navigating this can be difficult if you’ve never tried anything out before. To help, we talked to experts about what to look for, plus their recommendations for the best home security solutions for homeowners, apartment dwellers, and anyone else searching for more peace of mind in their living spaces.
“One of the best things you can do for your home security is to not be a target in the first place,” James Wilson, a digital privacy and security expert at My Data Removal, tells Mental Floss. But before you invest in anything (whether it be for just your property or for your online home security), it’s important to know there’s more than just one kind of home alarm system. There are two main types: do-it-yourself (DIY) or professionally installed options.
DIY home security systems are user-friendly and typically offer an easy setup, while professionally installed systems are more complex and are usually monitored by the company setting it up. Some DIY security systems may provide paid monitoring services as an add-on, but not all do, so be sure that you are getting the type of system that you want before making a purchase.
On the other hand, professionally installed home security systems are often a bit more pricey, but they come with some great perks. There is no DIY aspect, and the installers will take care of everything from the setup to connecting to the internet, and will even help you figure out an app to use in tandem with your security system. Plus, you’ll get the advantage of home monitoring services so you and your family can stay safe in the event that an incident occurs. But there are a couple variations in monitoring services to look out for, too.
With a professional monitoring service provided by a company, you’ll likely get 24/7 monitoring, and they’ll alert emergency services on your behalf if necessary. Any time an alarm is triggered, the service will automatically look into the situation so that you can get help as soon as possible.
Conversely, self-monitored home security systems usually come with a companion, connected smartphone app that receives feedback from the various cameras and sensors in your home. If an alarm, sensor, or motion detector is triggered, you’ll be notified so that you can access the video feed and decide what to do.
Beyond DIY and professionally installed security systems, there are also wired and wireless options to consider. With the former, the unit is usually hard-wired to connect to sensors and entry points around the house; the central control panel also typically runs on electricity. Wireless systems are more popular these days because they’re simple to install. They also run on batteries and rely on radio waves to send important notifications. However, they can be prone to outages.
Additionally, you may encounter different types of connectivity within these systems. Security apps provide users with the ability to connect to video feeds and sensors, and stay up to date with what’s going on while they’re out of the house. With smart home integration, folks can connect their apps to plug-ins, lightbulbs, televisions, thermostats, and more to better control and monitor their personal spaces.
But if you’re using smart tech, experts say it’s important to stay vigilant. “Smart home technologies provide great conveniences, but also introduce vulnerabilities into our homes,” says Daniel Markuson, a digital privacy expert at NordVPN. “So it’s wise to do your homework and choose smart home products that offer the best security and regular updates, and change the default [passwords] to something more sophisticated.”
The Best Home Security Products
The options we’ll cover here merely scratch the surface of smart home security options. While these are worth checking out, it’s also a good idea to do your own research, use a service provider if you don’t want to explore the DIY route, and make sure that your Wi-Fi enabled devices are protected by using a VPN (some of the most well-known, like ExpressVPN or NordVPN, can protect your privacy online by encrypting the connection between your devices and the internet, which creates a vital layer of added security in today’s digital world).