Home Automation Security Systems

Most people have computers and internet access, but they don’t realize how these can impact home security.

With the right system and software, your PC can turn into a video surveillance system. It can be programmed to perform a number of functions. They are capable of tracking movement and sound. They can also be set to come on when you leave the house and shut back down when you come home.

Light timers have been around for years. They were typically only useful for turning the lights on and off at certain times. With today’s advancements in technology, they can be programmed to give you a better simulation of an occupied home. They can now be set to turn on and off at random times and lengths of time, making it seem more realistic.

Unfortunately, with some systems, you are at the mercy of the weather – and the bad guys if they can figure it out – because without power, the system shuts down with everything else. Someone who wanted to gain access to your house could cut the power fairly easily, rendering your security system useless.

A battery backup system can take care of that problem for as low as $50 or more. Some of these units can provide enough power to keep your PC and a few lights and cameras operating for up to a few hours. There are more expensive systems (sometimes a few thousand dollars) that can power your entire home for hours. If an intruder attempts to cut your power only to find that some lights are still functional, they probably won’t waste any more time on you.

Some of these systems are capable of disabling locks at certain times, so that even if someone has a key, they won’t be able to use it. There are a number of ways a burglar could gain access to a house key. They may have been partnered with a cleaning person or babysitter, for example. If they find that the key they worked so hard to get doesn’t work, they may just move on.

There are also alternatives available to the standard key and deadbolt locks. Combination locks that work with a small token are a good option. These systems have a combination that requires the token that only you and your family posses. The combination is changed periodically, but can never be accessed without the token. No one else will be able to input the proper sequence of numbers.

Alarm systems also rely on the use of a combination method. Unfortunately, for some of the old systems, the combination can be obtained in the same way your social security number or credit card information is. Someone who is willing to search a little can probably find the combination written down somewhere. This is why the token system is so effective. With the constantly changing combination, it’s impossible to access without the token.

Modern technology is helping to make our homes more secure than ever before. Investing in one of these systems can save you thousands down the road, and possibly save your life. It can also give you a discount on your homeowners insurance.