You put a lot of trust in your home security cameras. Sadly, this can come back to bite you.
security researcher Spotted a flaw in a major brand. That is, they did not encrypt private footage. oops.
Besides branding, there is also location to consider. I’ve compiled a checklist to make sure the important places are covered and you don’t make big mistakes.
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Do: Keep an eye out for doors and windows on the first floor
Most burglars want to take the most direct route into your home. Install cameras inside and outside ground level doors. Also don’t forget about any side and rear doors.
In case someone breaks in, when they walk up to your door, you’ll have a clear picture of their face and see everything they’re doing inside.
Texas family’s Ring doorbell camera captures bobcat perched on their backyard fence: ‘I’m terrified’
Don’t: Put a camera in the bedroom
Some business owners want their security cameras to be more visible to deter criminals, while others want them to be more discreet. (Fox News)
Most of us don’t want to deal with turning the camera on and off. Sure, some come with automatic home and away modes, but the thought of cameras capturing personal moments makes me uncomfortable.
Here’s a scary thought: Someone has hacked into your security system. Check for these signs if you suspect it’s happening to you.
Do: Put Them Up High
Placement makes a world of difference. The worst place you can put your camera is on the ground. You might step on it, your dog might give it a bath (if you know what I mean), and it won’t record usable footage.
The higher the better. This position means your camera will be able to capture the full picture. Having the camera 8 to 10 feet off the ground means you’re more likely to see the intruder’s entire body, which can help police narrow down the list of suspects if it comes to that.
A woman walks past surveillance cameras in Melbourne on February 9, 2023. – The Australian government said on February 9 that the Australian Department of Defense will remove Chinese-made surveillance cameras from its buildings to ensure they are “completely secure”. (Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)
DON’T: Leave your camera in the bathroom
Not only will you make your guests uncomfortable, but you may also be breaking the law. It is illegal to record another person without their consent where privacy is expected.
I get it. You have medications or other concerns. A contractor once stole my mom’s pain medication from her medicine cabinet. Instead of a camera, I have a motion sensor on the medicine cabinet door.
Sensors are a great way to stay safe without having digital eyes watching all the time. Here are more smart places to stick with one.
Do: Use corners to your advantage
The goal of a security camera is to capture as much high-quality footage as possible. Placing the camera in the corner will give you the full picture.
Just about anything can be a hidden camera, no joke. Here’s how to spot them on Airbnb, VRBO, or other rental properties.
Some business owners want their security cameras to be more visible to deter criminals, while others want them to be more discreet. (Fox News)
Don’t: block the camera
Most burglars break in through obvious places like windows or doors. Keep it simple and aim the lens at high traffic areas.
Avoid obstacles like plants, branches, or backyard jungle gyms. Keep your cameras up high so running pets or rowdy kids don’t drop them.
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Do: Post a sign
People behave differently when they know they are being recorded. I have signs in my yard telling anyone they are being logged. These $12 Signs on Amazon Includes stakes to be placed in the ground.
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Plus, I learned how to skip Bing and ChatGPT waitlists, new ways to limit your kids’ screen time on YouTube, and how to quickly unsend that embarrassing email. Oh, and pictures with your dog make you sexier online! Laffer!
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